After recently losing three out of four games, the Bethlehem boys soccer team is back on track.
The Eagles scored four unanswered goals in the second half to knock off a dangerous Mohonasen team 4-1 last Thursday and parlayed the momentum into a 1-0 double overtime victory over Ballston Spa Saturday for their first back-to-back wins since opening the season 7-0-1.
Bethlehem (9-3-0 league, 11-3-1 overall) had trouble establishing its offense in the first half of last Thursday’s game against Mohonasen, but once Stephen Russo scored off a rebound less than two minutes into the second half, the floodgates opened. Harrison Lane put the Eagles ahead 2-1 a short time later, and Tom Klim added a penalty kick goal to put the game out of Mohonasen’s reach.
We played well, said Beth-lehem coach Phil Ridgway. `What I said at halftime really sunk in. We went to a two-touch (passing) game instead of holding the ball too long and turning the ball over.`
Bethlehem had several chances to get on the scoreboard in regulation against Ballston Spa Saturday, but the Scotties defense kept the Eagles in check. Then midway through the second 10-minute overtime period, Klim launched a long free kick that got past Ballston Spa goaltender Greg Dunlavey to give the Eagles the victory.
The Eagles looked to keep their momentum going Monday when they visited Columbia.
Scoreless streak ends, but not winning streak
The Bethlehem girls soccer team gave up its first goal in Section II play last Friday against Ballston Spa, but the Lady Eagles hung on for a 2-1 victory that improved their record to 11-0 in the Suburban Council (13-0 overall).
`We ended up winning the game, but they played us well,` said Bethlehem coach Tom Rogan.
Kristina Maksuti and Kaitlyn Martin each scored a goal for the Lady Eagles, while Lauren Audi had Ballston Spa’s lone tally.“