MANSFIELD — Reigning three-time Division 2 state champion Oliver Ames is looking to find where it will get offensive production two games into this season.

After getting shut out in their season opener, the Tigers got just enough offense Monday night with a 1-0 win in a rematch of last year’s state semifinal against Hockomock League rival Mansfield.

Oliver Ames’ stellar defensive performance made Victor Nascimento’s goal the difference as the Tigers notched their second consecutive shutout to start the season by blanking the Hornets.

“It was a really good game for us early on in the season to have so much of the ball and so much possession,” Oliver Ames head coach John Barata said. “It was fun to have. But we got to finish. We’ve got to figure out scoring.”

OA (1-0-1) felt snakebitten offensively until it found the back of the net in the 35th minute, thanks to Nascimento.

A quick throw-in led to a strong cross from Josh Braz Ferreira, and Nascimento settled a bounding ball on the left side of the box before beating charging Mansfield keeper Troy Lasbury-Casey (five saves) for the goal.

“In a game like this, when you’re playing against a great team like Mansfield, you need to have the differences. And the tenacity and intensity,” Barata said. “We needed good players out there. Victor has skill and tenacity, so it was a good fit to put him up and see what he could do. And he delivered.”

That was more than enough for OA’s defense, which has compiled six straight clean sheets dating back to last season.

Alejandro Landaverde, Lukas Hallama, Ryder Mercieri, Nick Babanikas and Bailey Gavin were terrific in the back end in front of goalie Zack Gilson (two saves). And when Mansfield (1-1) tested OA’s defense, the Tigers always had an answer.

Aside from Brandon Gardner hitting the crossbar on a long free kick in the 64th minute, the Hornets had their best scoring chance come less than five minutes into the second half when Mario Harrison got behind OA’s defense. Sujay Gaddam laid the ball off to Harrison, but he didn’t get a chance to put a shot on net as Hallama rushed in to clear the ball away.

“We practice recovery defending, and that was textbook what he did,” Barata said. “That was the one real scary chance they had all game. … That moment was awesome for us to teach that team defense is critical.”