Class B No. 10 Bennington remained unbeaten Tuesday, topping the Blair boys 4-1 during the Eastern Midlands Conference (EMC) Soccer Tournament semifinals.
The Badgers advanced to the finals with a 10-0 record, while coach Curt Scott's Bears dropped to 6-5 after a first-round victory against Norris on Monday.
“Boys played well for what they are asked to against a team like Bennington,” the BHS coach said.
The Bears scored their goal on the Badgers' home field during the second half when freshman Blaise Baughman headed a corner kick into the back of the net. His team trailed 3-0 at halftime and was unable to mount a comeback against the EMC's top seed.
BHS was scheduled to play a third-place game Thursday and next competes Tuesday at Norris.
Bears beat Norris
To reach the semis against Bennington, the Bears topped fifth-seeded Norris on Monday at Krantz Field.
“It's EMC, so I'm feeling good,” freshman Eli Belsky said after the 4-1 win. “And I just scored a hat trick, so it's a really good feeling.”
The midfielder scored three times, while Quinn Baedke scored once for coach Scott's team. Goalkeeper Peter Clarke claimed the victory between the posts.
Belsky's first goal came when Baughman crossed the ball from the end line to him in front of the goal during the fourth minute.
“He had really good passes,” Belsky said of his ninth-grade classmate. “I think he's probably one of our hardest working players and that pays off because he gets those assists. He's a team player.”
Baedke then added his goal during the eighth minute before Belsky's header with just 10:47 left before halftime.
Ahead 3-0, the Bear scored his third goal just 3:22 into the second half.
Norris scored once as the match went on, but BHS prevailed and advanced after 80 minutes of soccer.
BHS SOCCER LINE SCORES
Tuesday
No. 2 Bennington 4, Blair 1
BHS (6-5) 0 1 — 1
BEN (10-0) 3 1 — 4
Blair goal: Blaise Baughman.
Monday
Blair 4, Norris 1
NHS (4-4) 0 1 — 1
BHS (6-4) 3 1 — 4
Blair goals: Eli Belsky 3, Quinn Baedke.
