The Bethlehem girls soccer team had its most complete performance of the season at Guilderland’s expense.
Olivia Miranda and Shannon Russo each scored a goal, and goaltender Miranda Manziano did the rest in the Lady Eagles’ 2-0 victory over the Lady Dutch Thursday, Oct. 2, in a Suburban Council South Division game.
“I think we both needed this win today as we head towards Sectionals,” said Bethlehem coach Tom Rogan. “We put two complete halves together today, which is something we hadn’t done all season. So, I was very pleased with our effort.”
Russo got Bethlehem (7-4-1) on the scoreboard with her team-leading fifth goal of the season off Kaylee Rickert’s assist in the first half. Then early in the second half, Sophia Calabrese sent a crossing pass off the end line on to Miranda’s feet, and the freshman kicked the ball past Guilderland goaltender Taylor Dorado to double the Lady Eagles’ advantage.
“Both of our goals were good goals. There was nothing their keeper could do about those goals,” said Rogan.
Manziano made seven mostly routine saves to send Guilderland (7-5-0) to its third consecutive loss and its second in a row by shutout.
“It’s funny because we went our first nine games and scored a goal in every game. We were the only Suburban Council team to do that,” said Guilderland coach Curtis Snyder. “And suddenly, we can’t find the back of the net.”
Manziano has been a rock in goal for Bethlehem all season. The junior posted her fifth shutout of the season Thursday and has allowed nine goals over the Lady Eagles’ 12 games.
“We’ve had quite a run of goaltenders,” said Rogan, whose Bethlehem teams have seen the likes of Katie Nickles and Kiersten Swete guard the net over the last six years. “It’s been very nice, to say the least. I’ve been very fortunate to have that run of goaltenders.”
Rogan said Bethlehem is looking to get on a good run over its last four games, which includes a match-up against eighth-ranked Columbia (10-1-1) Tuesday, Oct.14, in its second-to-last Suburban Council game of the season.
“I don’t pay attention to (records),” said Rogan. “There are several good teams in the Suburban Council this season.”
Meanwhile, Guilderland is looking to regain the form it showed during a seven-game winning streak that propelled the Lady Dutch into the state rankings before falling out after losses to Saratoga, Shenendehowa and Bethlehem.
“We’re not afraid of anybody, and we can compete with anybody,” said Snyder. “We just have to put it all together.”
Guilderland squared off against Columbia Tuesday, Oct. 7, while Bethlehem faced Mohonasen.
In other girls soccer news, Voorheesville (9-1-1) sits at No. 19 in the state Class B rankings following a 3-0 Colonial Council victory over Cobleskill-Richmondville Saturday, Oct. 4.
Veda Hensel recorded a hat trick for the Blackbirds, who out-shot the Bulldogs 27-6. Cobleskill-Richmondville goaltender Kristen Kruglak stopped 24 shots.