On Wednesday, the undefeated powers tested each other in a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Central Division showdown on Dutch Hollow Road.

Both teams were up to the challenge.

Wolverines senior Nathan Culbreth scored on a header in the 22nd minute and the goal stood up as the winner as Westfield/Brocton took over sole possession of first place in the league with a 1-0 victory.

“Coming into this game, everybody in the league knew this was going to be a very close game tonight,” Maple Grove head coach Cara Abbey said. “We passed the ball really well, we made some good opportunities, they just had one moment where they were successful.”

Maple Grove’s Tristan Spillane (13) shields Westfield/Brocton’s Joshua Heim from the ball Wednesday.

The Wolverines, the state’s No. 9 Class C team according to this week’s New York State Sportswriters Association rankings, improved to 10-0-0 on the season, including 5-0-0 in the Central Division.

“Maple Grove is a really great team and they’re really well coached. They came out and competed immensely well for the entire 80 minutes, and put the pressure on heavy in the end,” Westfield/Brocton head coach Jared Winder said.

“We pulled through with the win by a lot of great effort from our guys and a good opportunity early in the game.”

The Red Dragons, ranked No. 2 in Class C according to the NYSSWA, suffered their first loss. They fell to 9-1-0 overall, including 4-1-0 in the league.

Senior keeper Michael Johnson made five saves in net for Westfield/Brocton, which has now outscored opponents 43-2 on the season.

Westfield/Brocton’s Dylan Scriven (13) defends Maple Grove’s Kevin Ruhlman (16) during Wednesday’s CCAA Central Division matchup on Dutch Hollow Road.

“Defensively, for us there were a couple instances when Mike came out and smothered the ball really well on dangerous spots of the field where maybe our defense was being exploited,” Winder said. “He was just rock solid back there coming out and stopping those opportunities before they came to fruition.”

Senior Dylan Scriven and sophomore Josh Barresi were largely in charge of limiting Maple Grove’s dynamic duo of senior Caleb Foley and junior Tristan Spillane, who have combined for 17 goals on the season.

“We’ve really been working with Dylan Scriven and Josh Barresi marking guys,” Winder said. ” … We used them especially at the end of the game when they were really bringing it on, to attempt to shut down guys.”

The Red Dragons defense kept the Wolverines in check for most of the afternoon, except for a minor breakdown in the 22nd minute. Elber Lopez-Hernandez sent a high ball into the box and Culbreth was able to head the ball just over late-charging goalkeeper Sam Cummings for a 1-0 lead.

“He’s definitely the focus point for us with his height, his ability and his size. He’s a mainstay up in the front at striker,” Winder said of Culbreth. “He does a great job, especially as of late, delivering balls into others and finishing with his head. He’s really come a long way, coming from a center-mid last year to striker. He’s made the adjustment really well.”

Westfield/Brocton’s Nathan Culbreth (11) attempts to get by Maple Grove’s Kevin Ruhlman (16) during Wednesday’s game.

“He’s got a couple of inches over people,” Abbey said of Culbreth. “That’s his biggest strength, his height. Everybody knows it.”

Late in the first half, Maple Grove’s Elias Akl sent a ball through Westfield/Brocton’s 18-yard box, but missed the foot of Foley and head of Spillane.

“Whenever you play a team as strong as Westfield, you are going to have less opportunities, just because they do have a great defense,” Abbey said. “Dylan Scriven is great as their center-back.”

With just over eight minutes remaining in the game, a misplayed ball by a Red Dragons defender allowed the Wolverines to get free for a mini breakaway, but Cummings — who was credited with five saves — made an aggressive decision to charge the loose ball and clear it away from danger.

“I think Sam Cummings played a fantastic game. No complaints,” Abbey said. “He’s solid. There’s a reason he’s been a three-year starter at Maple Grove. I couldn’t have asked for more from him today.”

Maple Grove pressed late, but was unable to get any ‘Grade A’ scoring chances before time expired.

“Defensively, both teams are really strong. Both defenses did a good job of shutting down the other team’s offense,” Winder said. “It just came down to getting that one great opportunity and getting people on their defense a little bit out of position, which ended in the score.”

If things continue as they did throughout the first half of the league schedule, the Red Dragons — who are off until Monday — will look to split the league title in the last regular season game of the year Oct. 16 in Westfield. The Wolverines host nonleague Southwestern on Saturday morning.

“We have another great opponent coming up in Southwestern right away. … We are just going to have to come out and continue to ride the high,” Winder said. “We can’t afford to have a setback. It’s nice to face another competitive team right away to hopefully avoid that.”