MECHANICVILLE — The Bethlehem girls soccer team, for the second year in a row, is the Section II, Class AA champion.
The Eagles shut out Suburban Council rival Niskayuna on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2-0 at Mechanicville High School.
Ruth Hotaling had a goal and an assist while Joanne VanRoyen had a goal and Claire Hutton had an assist for Bethlehem.
Keeper Sophia Soka had six saves in goal for the win, and her counterpart for Niskayuna, Emma Anderson, had 11.
The Eagles, the No. 1 seed going into the tournament, got to the championship by beating No. 8 seed Columbia 8-0 and No. 5 seed Shaker 5-2. Nisky, the No. 2 seed, beat Saratoga 3-1 and Shen 1-0 before playing Bethlehem in the finals.
Last year, Bethlehem made it to the state finals in Cortland before losing to Section IX champ Monroe Woodbury 1-0.
This year, Bethlehem’s road to the state championship will begin on Saturday, Nov. 9 against Section III champ Fayetteville-Manlius High School. The game will be played at Mechanicville High School. The time was not known when this paper went to press.
If they win, the Eagles will play in the semis the following Saturday at SUNY Cortland with the championship game in Cortland a day later.
Click on a photo to view a slideshow of the rest.
