Alright, Section 2, get ready for some absolute fireworks because this Saturday is gonna be wild. We’ve got 11 boys’ and girls’ soccer teams battling it out in regional finals, all trying to punch their ticket to the state final four. And seriously, some of these matchups are just insane, with massive stakes.
Bethlehem’s Unbeaten Streak Hits a Wall, and Shaker’s Wild Ride Continues
Let’s talk about the Bethlehem boys’ soccer team. These guys are on an absolute tear, sitting at a pristine 15-0-3. They’re the *only* Section 2 team still undefeated, and they’re one of just ten undefeated boys’ teams across all classes in the NYSPHAA field. You’d think they’re cruising, right? Think again. They’re going up against Section 3’s Watertown, who is *also* undefeated at a staggering 19-0-0! This Class AA state regional on Saturday at Waterford-Halfmoon is not just a game, it’s a heavyweight title fight between the state’s top-ranked Class AA teams. Watertown is ranked No. 1, and Bethlehem is right behind them at No. 2. Bethlehem started the season ranked ninth, actually hit No. 1 on October 6, and has been holding strong at No. 2 since. This is the biggest game on the schedule, no question.
Then you’ve got the Shaker boys’ soccer team. Talk about a comeback story! These guys lost their first three games of the season. THREE! But they didn’t fold. They ripped off an eight-game winning streak after that. Now the Blue Bison, sitting at 13-5 and ranked No. 6 in the state, are riding a four-game winning streak right into Saturday’s state regional against Section 3’s 12th-ranked Cicero-North Syracuse. That’s the kind of grit you love to see, turning a rough start into a deep playoff run.
Girls Are Chasing History, Including One Team Nobody Saw Coming
The girls’ side of the bracket is just as compelling. Seriously, how about the Averill Park girls’ soccer team? They’re in the state playoffs despite going *winless* in Suburban Council play! Yeah, you read that right. Zero wins against exclusively Class AAA and AA teams. But here’s the kicker: when they play Class A opponents, including the postseason, they’re 4-0! That’s the definition of an underdog thriving when it matters most. They’re facing Section 7’s Beekmantown at noon on Saturday.
And you wanna talk about history? The Stillwater girls’ soccer team is on a quest to win back-to-back Class C state championships. Repeating is no joke, especially in the state playoffs. The last Section 2 team to even pull off a repeat was Waterford-Halfmoon, who won Class C in 2022 and then shared it in 2023. Can Stillwater do it all on their own this year? They’ve got Section 1’s North Salem at 5 p.m. at Niskayuna to kick off that dream. Plus, it’s worth noting that all three large-school champions in Section 2 girls’ soccer , Shenendehowa (Class AAA), Bethlehem (Class AA), and Averill Park (Class A) , all came out of the Suburban Council. That council really brought the heat this season.
This Saturday is packed with high-stakes soccer. You’ve got nine of these regional finals going down in the Capital Region. Can Bethlehem keep their perfect record alive against a fellow unbeaten powerhouse? Will Stillwater take another step toward repeating as state champs? And can Averill Park’s Cinderella story keep rolling? Grab some snacks, find a live stream, and get ready for a full day of Section 2 soccer! It’s going to be epic.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply