READING – A title-chasing ambition didn’t leave with its senior-laden starting lineup from last year’s Div. 2 state championship run, and the Reading field hockey team showed exactly why Friday night in a signature Middlesex League matchup.

Behind a strong defensive performance that limited shots on goal despite waves of pressure, the defending-champion No. 11 Rockets (5-0) edged out a defensive battle with No. 16 Belmont (2-2) for an impressive 2-1 win.

Both of Reading’s goals came in the second half, coming away with just enough to remain unbeaten despite allowing its first goal of the year and getting out-shot 9-4.

“Our whole mindset going into this was being confident and composed, and coming out intense,” said new head coach Delaney Yule. “They did that the whole game. I think every time we win and start winning against these stronger teams, their confidence is building, and that’s been huge for us. … I think they’re doing a great job of saying what they want to do, and then backing it on the field.”

Ten seniors graduated from the title-winning team, including a pair of All-Scholastics in key positions. But while they all left big shoes to fill, the Rockets did so seamlessly, again, in their biggest challenge yet this year.

Senior captain Libby Quinn broke the offensive silence of a shutout first half with a goal less than four minutes into the third quarter, and freshman Maddie Lotterhand doubled the lead early in the fourth for a critical insurance goal.

After Elsie Lakin-Schultz finally got Belmont on the board with four minutes left for the first goal Reading had allowed so far this year, Lotterhand’s score proved to be the game-winner. Pair that with a big performance from sophomore Liza O’Brien at center-back, and Reading has a lot of faith in what contributions it gets across the board.

“I think that’s just a credit to the culture of the program,” Yule said. “It doesn’t matter what grade you are, it doesn’t matter who you lost. It’s, ‘Who do we have to get what job done?’ Everybody on the field is important, everyone at practice is important. They have a great team culture, they have great leadership, and I think that’s why freshmen come in and do those things, and feel confident about it.”

Reading had plenty of pressure throughout, though Belmont won the possession battle in the offensive zone with constant trips downfield led by star midfielder Mackenzie Clarke, Lakin-Schultz and Gigi Mastrangelo. But while most of the third quarter’s first 12 minutes saw Belmont around the offensive 25, it only out-shot the Rockets 2-1 from how relentlessly the team kept the Marauders out of dangerous spots in the circle.

Belmont only got nine shots off, and junior goalie Sarah Hamilton stood strong in goal to stop what Reading needed for the win.

“I’ve always believed defense is what wins games,” Yule said. “And that’s not just our backs. It’s how our (midfielders) pressure, how our forwards are initiating the setup. We really focus on team defense and what can we do to limit opportunities. … They did a great job pressuring the ball, they were stepping up quick, coming up with big block tackles. All players, not just our backs. Our backs did especially well inside the circle, but that team defense from top to bottom has been a big priority.”