Bethlehem and Guilderland entered last Thursday’s Suburban Council South Division boys soccer game separated by one-half of a point for first place.
When they emerged from 100 minutes of soccer, Bethlehem remained a half-point ahead of Guilderland.
Bethlehem goaltender Dan Maddock stopped all four shots on goal he faced in a 0-0 tie with Guilderland that clinched the South Division title for the Eagles (12-3-1).
I’m very satisfied, said Bethlehem coach Phil Ridgway. `With all the injuries and the flu-like symptoms we’ve had recently, I’m very happy with where we are.`
Neither team had many quality scoring chances on a cold day in Delmar. Bethlehem had several opportunities in the first half that were stopped by Guilderland goaltender Devin Bailey, while Maddock made the necessary saves at the other end.
`We played well, and we made some opportunities,` said Ridgway. `We hit the post on one shot and missed an open shot in the first half, but overall we played well.`
`I thought we played one of our best games of the season against Bethlehem,` said Guilderland coach Mike Kinnally. `Their goaltender played a great game.`
The half-point each team earned for the tie gave Bethlehem 15.5 standings points, which tied the Eagles with Saratoga Springs for the second-highest point total in the Suburban Council behind overall champion Shenendehowa (14-1-1, 19.5 points). Guilderland (10-3-3) finished with 15 points, which tied the Dutchmen with Ballston Spa for the third-best point total.
`It stings a little because it makes you look back at the mistakes we made earlier in the season and magnifies them,` said Kinnally. `All in all, we’re pleased with how the season has turned out so far.`
Bethlehem and Guilderland received their seedings for the Section II, Class AA playoffs Tuesday. Both teams were hoping for a top four seed, with Bethlehem staring at the prospect of having the No. 2 seed.
`We’ve got to see what Big 10 teams will be up there, but it would be nice to have the No. 2 seed,` said Ridgway.
Kinnally said he was hopeful Guilderland could get as high as a No. 3 seed since the Dutchmen have a better record than Saratoga (10-5-1) or Ballston Spa (11-5).
`We know we’re going to be a No. 3, a No. 4 or a No. 5 seed, but it doesn’t make the road any easier for us,` said Kinnally.“
