GARNER - Opposing coaches know the best way to beat the Garner girls soccer team is to control Paige Dugal and Meagan Proper, but until Monday night no team had been able to do it.

Clayton held the splendid Garner scorers without a point and claimed a 2-0 Greater Neuse River 4-A victory over the Trojans.

The win pushed Clayton (11-4, 7-1 conference) into control of the league with Garner falling to 10-1-2 and 8-1-1.

Proper entered the game as the area's leading scorer with 22 goals and 23 assists. Dugal was third in the scoring race with 20 goals and 14 assists. Each had gotten a goal or an assist in every game since the opener.

Clayton coach Sena Mazierz smothered the two with attention. Corrine Wilder, Morgan Love and Sarah Hiney had the primary defensive assignments against Proper and Dugal, and they received plenty of help.

"We wanted two or three people on them every time they touched the ball," Mazierz said.

Garner coach Connie Barnes said other teams had given the duo special attention, but no one had been as effective as the Comets.

"No one else has put five people on them," Barnes said. "Every time Meagan touched it, there were five defenders on her. There was no space at all. It was the same with Paige."

Garner entered the game averaging an area-high 4.8 goals but missed on its few legitimate chances and had a difficult time getting the ball to its standouts.

Clayton keeper Olivia Baumgartner took care of any loose balls.

The game was very unlike the clubs' first meeting, a 6-4 Garner win in which Proper had two goals and four assists and Dugal had three goals and an assist.

"We played absolutely horrible during the first 30 minutes last time and fell behind 5-0," Mazierz said. "We cut it to 5-2 at the half and had it to 5-4 with a couple of chances to tie it before Garner scored late."

This time, Caitlin Hubbard gave Clayton the only goal it needed with 13:07 left in the second half when she nudged in a kick from in front of the goal after a shot from the wing was not handled cleanly.

Another scramble in front of the Garner net resulted in a 15-yarder by Libby Orsega with 5:12 remaining. With a two-goal lead, Clayton could strengthen its defense even more.

"Dugal and Proper are two of the best players in the state," Mazierz said. "But we played well as a team tonight."