Boys Win Sectionals

Boys+Win+Sectionals

Dan Geyer

After receiving a first round bye in sectionals, the Boys Varsity Soccer team started the quest for a the title on October 20th with a 4-0 win over #8 seeded Houghton. Adam Enders scored twice and assisted on Isaah and Hunter’s goal. Leiseur and Hunter Enders each netted a goal while Cox had an assist and McCumiskey stopped all three Houghton shots.

On October 25th, the boys traveled to Genesee Valley to take on the #5 Avoca Tigers in a key semifinals matchup. The boys proved to be contenders as Adam Enders put Belfast up 1-0 two minutes into the game. Avoca originally scored to tie the game but the goal was called back after it was determined that the Avoca player was offsides as he played the ball. After the quick scare, Belfast went back to work, with Adam netting two more goals and Cox adding a goal to give them a 4-0 lead.  The defense went to work in the second half, preventing Avoca from scoring. Late in the game, Shane received a breakaway pass, and after two saves by the goalie, Preston put one in the upper 90 to put the game on ice for Belfast as they rolled 5-0. Kevin McCumiskey stopped all four Avoca shots as Belfast advanced to their first championship game since 2010.

On Friday, October 27, the Belfast Boys Soccer team traveled to the Wellsville Athletic Complex for the Section V championship game. Just one more opponent stood between Belfast and its first Section V title since 2009: the #7 Bradford Braves.  A very physical game throughout, Adam Enders fed Mackenzie Cox a pass that went right by the goalie that proved to be the game winner fifteen  minutes in. After the goal, it was lockdown defense for Belfast as they stopped any Bradford shot that came their way. The boys were able to raise their first Section V D2 trophy (“The Block”) since 2009. Belfast coach Mark Sullivan told the Wellsville Daily Reporter:  “It takes a whole team effort to win sectionals: everyone from the boys coming off the bench to the boys who didn’t play. They deserve it, they gave every ounce, and they worked their tails off. The goalscorers get all the credit, but this defense has given up only eight goals all year long.” The boys received a parade through town as they arrived, but the boys wanted more than a sectional title.

The boys traveled to the KPAC(Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex) in Houghton on Monday, ready to the face the D1 champion Mt. Morris. The Mt. Morris offense proved too much for Belfast, along with a few controversial calls, as they fell 2-0 in the state qualifer. The boys have nothing to be ashamed of, as they won their third straight county title and won the Section V D2 title and finished with a record of 18-2. Alex Enders, Ethan Blocho, Adam Enders, Kevin McCumiskey, and Mackenzie Cox were selected as county all-stars, while Adam was selected as county MVP and Isaah and Ethan were selected for the exceptional senior game. The team will lose Ethan, Austin, Isaah, Brach, Shane, Dalton and their bookkeeper to graduation.  Kyle Comstock, Sophomore, said “I would like to thank this year’s seniors for teaching me leadership.  Without our seniors, I do not believe that we would have achieved our goal of winning the Section V D2 title.  I know for a fact that they will be greatly missed next year.”  

Kevin McCumiskey, goalkeeper, commented on the year.  “This season was incredible.  We took home the Section V championship, which is something Belfast hasn’t done since 2009.  That was our goal since the very first day of practice in August and we completed it.  We only gave up ten goals all season and finished with an 18-2 record.  I can’t wait until next year!”