Victories over Hingham (14-12) and Westborough (18-14) provided some needed competition for the Lady Dragons, yet they were still able to come close to their 18.5 goals per game average in both wins.

Now comes the hard stretch for Duxbury, who travels to perennial powerhouse Westwood on Friday and returns home on Saturday at noon to entertain one of Rhode Island’s top teams in Barrington.

Games with Norwell and Hingham will follow shortly, so by the end of next week we should know if Coach Sue Paull’s team is ready to recapture the Division II title they took home in 2007.

They sure looked like a championship squad last week, as they dismantled Silver Lake (23-2), Marshfield (17-3) and North Quincy (17-0) in what has become a series of practice games against the many new start-up programs in the Patriot League.

If nothing else, Paull has been able to work her bench into most games, and come tournament time she’ll have a complete roster of battle-tested personnel.

In the game against the Lakers, Duxbury’s bench saw plenty of action, but as usual the starters dominated with senior captain Meg Muncey scoring six goals and junior Caitlin Burke chipping in with five.

It was a game in which nine different players got on the board, including junior Ali Violandi (3), sophomore Siobhan McCarthy (2), senior Melissa Crimmins (2), sophomore Keri Gould (2), senior Alexa Matthews (1), senior Liz Desmond (1), and freshman Grace Nissi (1).

One of the benefits of a blowout is the fact that some players get an opportunity to show just what they can do under game conditions, and senior Alexa Matthews fits that bill.

After scoring a goal and adding an assist in the 17-0 blanking of NQ, Paull called the midfielder “one of the biggest surprises of the season.”

As for surprises, Paull seems to be getting one every game, with a different player stepping up and taking on the scoring duties while making life difficult for an opposing coach.

“We have so many scorers that an opposing coach has to sit there and figure out who are you going to shut down this time,” said Paull.

Junior Mimi Smith, held to a goal in the 17-3 win over Marshfield, took honors on Friday afternoon by erupting for four goals in the NQ win. McCarthy (3), Muncey (2), Burke (2), and Gould (2) also hit for multiples, while Matthews, Violandi, and JV call-ups Sarah Colangelo and Sam Sciliano also got on the board.

Once again Paull was able to unload her bench in the win over Marshfield, as McCarthy (5), Muncey (4), junior Katie Griffin (3), Desmond, Burke, Olivia McCarthy, and Gould contributed to the Duxbury attack.

While offense garners the headlines, Paull is aware that her defense will need to be at its best if the Lady Dragons want to wear the crown.

“Liz Desmond and Cassandra Nissi have been excellent on defense. But like in any game, goaltending could determine how far we go, and I’m hoping our defense will be able to clear the ball and take some of the pressure off senior goalie Stephanie Hoomis.”

While Westwood and Barrington will test Duxbury’s mettle, Monday’s game with Norwell could prove to be more telling, as the Clippers in all probability will face Duxbury in order to get out of the Division II South Sectionals.

“They are a good team and will no doubt give us a run for our money,” said Paull.