ALAJUELA, Costa Rica (Interstat) — LD Alajuelense scored twice in the opening 12 minutes to defeat Cartaginés 2-0 in a Primera División match Tuesday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.

Kenneth Vargas opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Santiago van der Putten added a second goal just three minutes later. The early flurry secured the result as the home side controlled the match.

The victory extends Alajuelense’s strong season record. Cartaginés, which had beaten Alajuelense in their previous meeting in January, was shut out. A statistical simulator had projected a draw, but Alajuelense’s fast start defied that forecast.