After losing a game and a player last Tuesday, the Bethlehem boys soccer team needed a win to get back on its feet.
The Eagles got what they wanted with last Thursday’s 2-1 overtime victory over Saratoga Springs in Delmar.
Dan Carillo scored off a pass from Kenny McDirmith midway through the second 10-minute overtime period to help Bethlehem improve its record to 4-1, tops in the South Division.
I’m happy about the way we played, said Bethlehem coach Phil Ridgway. `I wish we could have closed the deal a couple of times in the second half, but we had problems finishing.`
The Eagles flew out of the gate against Saratoga (3-2). They had several scoring chances early in the first half before they capitalized when Carillo sent a through pass ahead to a streaking Mike Mulhall, who knocked the ball into the net.
`We talked before the game about being mentally prepared [to play], and I think we were more mentally prepared to play Saratoga than we were going into [last Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to] Shaker,` said Ridgway.
The Blue Streaks tied the game when Caz Rafalik scored off a Noah Cadet assist, but Bethlehem’s defense stopped Saratoga cold after that in its first game since junior defender Tyler Kessler broke his leg in the loss to Shaker.
`Defensively, it hurts us a little bit,` Ridgway said of Kessler’s injury, which will sideline him the rest of the season. `But his replacement, Brian Spina, came in and did a great job.`
Goaltender Dan Maddock stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced for Bethlehem, which has allowed five goals in its first five games. Maddock is one of several seniors who were part of a sophomore class Ridgway brought up in 2007 that Ridgway is now counting on to lead the Eagles back to the top of the Suburban Council.
`In the midfield, we’re strong, and defensively we’re strong,` said Ridgway. `Our issues are up front, where we’re still having trouble finishing [our shots].`
Bethlehem returned to action Tuesday when it traveled to Niskayuna to face a Silver Warriors team that has bounced back from a disastrous 2008 season. Niskayuna entered the game with a 2-3 record that included victories over Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Averill Park and 1-0 losses to Saratoga, Shaker and Colonie.
`One thing about the Suburban Council is that you never know. Every year, some team steps up,` said Ridgway.
Following Tuesday’s game at Niskayuna, Bethlehem has a two-game home stand. The Eagles host Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Thursday and Columbia Saturday.
Dutchmen split two
Guilderland (3-1-1) also faced Saratoga and Shaker last week with the opposite results that Bethlehem had. The Dutchmen lost to Saratoga 1-0 last Tuesday before beating Shaker 1-0 last Thursday.
The lone goal of last Tuesday’s game came early in the second half when Cadet tallied on a penalty kick. Neither team had many scoring chances throughout the game, as the Blue Streaks outshot Guilderland 4-2.
The Dutchmen had better luck generating offense last Thursday against Shaker. They had 13 shots on goal, one of the last of which was Mike Crupi’s game-winning goal late in the second half.
Goaltender Devin Bailey made seven saves for Guilderland, which traveled to Clifton Park Tuesday for a showdown with North Division leader Shenendehowa. The Plainsmen own a 5-0 record and have outscored their opponents 30-3.
Guilderland hosts Ballston Spa Thursday before traveling to Averill Park Saturday.
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