It has been over 20 years since the Lisbon girls’ soccer team has enjoyed the kind of success it produced this season.

The Greyhounds went 12-1-1 and didn’t even lose its first game until the regular-season finale, a 1-0 loss to St. Dom’s. Lisbon earned the top seed in Western C and a spot in the Mountain Valley Conference Championship game.

“You can’t complain with 12-1-1,” said Lisbon coach Jake Gentle. “That’s an unbelievable season.”

The last time Lisbon was the top seed was in 1988. The Greyhounds went 9-2-3 but lost in the Western B semifinals. The following season, Lisbon began a string of four straight years seeded second, including a 10-2-2 record in 1989. Three of those years, the Greyhounds lost in the semifinals, but in 1991, Lisbon won the state title.

“We were ranked third in 2008 and the last time before that was in the early 90s when they won the states,” said Gentle, whose team lost to St. Dom’s in Wednesday’s MVC championship game, 1-0, in penalty kicks.

Lisbon went 10-4-1 last year but lost in the quarterfinal. The Greyhounds lost some all-star talent but still had some experience to work with. Lisbon only allowed eight goals all season and posted eight shutouts.

“We had a really great regular season,” said Gentle. “We started off the season with a tie. We didn’t really know where we were at. We just started playing better every game. I think we’re still playing really well.”

Lisbon draws the winner of the Mt. Abram-Hall-Dale preliminary game.

Right behind the Greyhounds in Western C are the defending regional champs from St. Dom’s (12-1-1). The Saints are poised for another run despite graduating 11 seniors last year. St. Dom’s allowed just two goals all season and had 11 shutouts. The lone loss came in a 1-0 decision to Monmouth.

“As coaches, we’re very excited for the work and the heart they’ve put into the season,” said St. Dom’s coach Kathy Little. “It’s paying off. They have big shoes to fill from last year’s squad, and they’re doing it.”

The Saints draw the preliminary winner between Sacopee Valley and Old Orchard Beach. Since that lone loss, St. Dom’s has outscored opponents 18-0 in five wins. That doesn’t include the 1-0 win over the Greyhounds in the conference title game.

“It’s the right time to peak,” said Little. “As we’re heading into the playoffs, we’re pulling everything together.”

Also in Western C, Monmouth (12-2) took the third seed and will host the preliminary winner of Dirigo (9-3-2) and Madison (6-8). Mt. Abram (8-5-1) also plays a prelim at Hall-Dale (8-5-1)

Mt. Blue’s win over Erskine Wednesday boosted their playoff standing. The Cougars (8-5-1) moved into fifth and avoid a prelim. Mt. Blue finished with four straight wins and will play at Waterville in the quarterfinals. The Cougars lost a heartbreak to the Panthers last month, 3-2.

Also in Eastern A, Edward Little finished ninth at 7-7. The Red Eddies earn a prelim game at Mt. Ararat.  EL lost a pair of games to the Eagles by scores of 3-0.

In Western B, Poland (7-5-2) surged up the standings with a late-season victory over the defending state champs from Falmouth. The Knights finished fourth, despite two straight losses to end the season. Poland will host York (7-6-1) — a team the Knights did not play in the regular season — in the quarterfinals.

Gray-New Gloucester (4-6-4) finished sixth and plays a quarterfinal at Maranacook (7-3-4). Spruce Mountain (6-7-1) landed ninth and plays a preliminary game at Freeport (6-7-1). Oak Hill (7-6-1) also earned a prelim spot and plays at Yarmouth (4-6-4).

In Western D,  Rangeley (7-4-1) finished third and plays a semifinal at Greenville. Buckfield (7-7) took the fourth spot and hosts Vinalhaven in a quarterfinal.

kmills@sunjournal.com

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