Belfast back to work vs. MDI

BELFAST – It was back to business Monday at Belfast Area High School.

The Lions’ boys soccer team, fresh off Saturday’s stunning 3-2 upset of an Ellsworth team riding a 32-game unbeaten streak, got to savor the victory for the rest of the weekend.

But on Monday it was back to normal with Coach Dale Cross barking out instructions and preparing his team for Wednesday’s Eastern Maine Class B semifinal match against Mount Desert Island.

Belfast’s victory over regional power Ellsworth summed up last Saturday’s B quarterfinals. The top three teams fell victim to upsets.

Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield travels to Camden-Rockport for Wednesday’s other B boys semifinal.

For Belfast, Saturday’s victory was especially sweet considering it was the Lions’ first playoff victory. Belfast had made the playoffs three times in the previous five years, only to pack up the gear after losing in the quarterfinals.

Not this time, though.

“You get into the playoffs and there are eight teams, usually eight good teams,” said Cross, taking time out from Monday’s practice. “This year is no different than any other year. That’s why you see upsets. It’s so close. If you’re seeded seventh or eighth, it may not matter 80 minutes later. I think any team can win the whole thing.”

The Lions jumped out to a 3-1 lead Saturday then had to hold off a strong Eagle charge down the stretch.

“They came out and it seemed like they expected to see a team that was a seventh-ranked team,” Cross said. “Once they got behind, boy, they really put the heat on. They’re a great team and Brian Higgins is a great coach.”

Belfast features overall team strength, but Cross said his midfield play has been especially strong late in the season.

“This whole group has played very, very well,” Cross said. “But our midfield is strong with big, rugged players with good attitudes.”

Seniors Thatcher White and Cliff Littlefield key the midfield while Kevin Coombs and Jack Gallagher spearhead the defense in front of goalkeeper Eric Fuller.

Fuller and the defense surrendered only 13 goals during the regular season.

Up front, Walter Anderson and Zack Gilbert are legitimate scoring threats.

Cross also said his team’s tough Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference schedule helped prepare the Lions for the postseason.

“I feel the KVAC league is tough enough that we can be ranked seventh and still be a very good team,” Cross said. “I think that’s what has happened. Three of the final four teams are from the KVAC and Winslow (9-4) was also tough and didn’t make it. It’s shows a lot of strength and that has helped us.”