STOUGHTON - Monroe High School senior Natalie Dillon lost a pitchers' duel with Stoughton's Holly Brickson on Thursday and the Cheesemakers softball team suffered a 3-0 loss.

Brickson tossed a four-hit shutout to snap the Cheesemakers' five-game winning streak. Monroe drops to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the Badger South.

Stoughton improves to 4-0 in the conference. The Vikings have scored 24 runs and given up just three in those Badger South games.

"They (Stoughton) were the better team today," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "We are a good team. We didn't play bad. They just beat us. We have to take some steps forward to be a great team."

Both Brickson and Dillon struck out 10 and walked just one.

"We have to find a way to do more on offense," Buvid said. "She (Brickson) is very good. She has a good fastball and rise ball."

Dillon didn't allow a hit for the first three innings but gave up just two earned runs on seven hits. The Vikings collected six of their hits in the final two innings.

"They (Stoughton) hit the ball hard late," Buvid said. "Once they got some momentum they hit some pitches that were not too bad."

Monroe will get a rematch against Stoughton May 10 at Twining Park.

The Cheesemakers have two big conference games coming up. Monroe will host Fort Atkinson on Tuesday and Monona Grove on April 21.