JV Game Summaries 2024

Away vs. Shaker  Loss 1-0

October 19, 2024

Eagles Battle on the Road, Come up Short in Season Finale

Bethlehem JV Boys Soccer battled hard for the full 80 minutes Saturday but were unable to secure a victory, suffering a 1-0 loss on the road against a tough Shaker team. It was the only defeat of the campaign for the Eagles, who found their unbeaten streak ended on the final day of the season for the second straight year.

The match was a frenetic and physical affair defined by midfield battles, quick counterattacks, and solid defense on both sides. Bethlehem appeared to have the upper hand early, but Shaker began to generate scoring chances in the 18th minute with a barrage of shots going high and wide of the target. Parker Mooney was active in net for the Eagles, intercepting through balls and punching away crosses. As the half continued, momentum shifted back to the Eagles, who tested the Shaker keeper with shots from Emerson Denno, Lennon Mane and Grayson Stebbins. But neither team could find the net and the half ended scoreless.

Both offenses would ratchet up the pressure in the second half, with the end-to-end action expected from a matchup of this caliber. And in the 51st minute a Shaker forward was able to break through on the left flank and tuck a shot flawlessly off the far post and in to give them the lead.

Bethlehem responded with increased intensity, holding possession for long stretches and penetrating deep into the offensive third. The intensity of the defending also increased, as two Shaker players were carted off due to injury and five yellow cards (three to shaker, two to Bethlehem) were awarded amid the chaos. The Bethlehem backline, anchored by center backs Stevens and Brendan Bashant with Denno and Will Gokey on the flanks, were strong as they have been all season and continually stifled the talented Bison forwards.

Many times it seemed Bethlehem were destined to draw level, with Lucas Nalbone and Cam Thomas serving balls in that ricocheted around the Shaker box only to be cleared away time and again by defenders.

The Blue Bison nearly extended their lead in the 35th minute, breaking through on goal only to be turned away by the outstanding save of keeper Quinn Behan, who came out brave and made himself big to force a deflection. On the other end Gabe Stevens launched a scorching shot in the 77th minute that narrowly missed the left post. But the Eagles simply couldn’t find a way to finish, and the game ended in a 1-0 defeat.

The Eagles held a 53%-47% advantage in possession and recorded five shots (two on goal) to Shaker’s 10 (six on goal). Corner kicks were 5-1 in Shaker’s favor, and the Blue Bison committed 14 fouls to Bethlehem’s 10.

The game capped an outstanding 2024 season by Coach Phil Ridgway and the JV Boys, who finish with a record of 11-1 while outscoring their opponents by an impressive 60-6.

~DD

Home vs. Saratoga  Win 2-1

October 17, 2024

Eagles Outlast Blue Streaks to Stay Perfect

The JV Eagles faced their most formidable opponent of the 2024 campaign Thursday and emerged with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Saratoga Blue Streaks.

In a scrappy, physical affair that saw 30 fouls and two yellow cards between the sides, Bethlehem displayed resilience, toughness and grit that had not been previously tested this season. Despite taking control of the game early and holding clear advantages possession and offensive chances that included shots from Lucas Nalbone, Lennon Mane, Gabe Stevens, and Brendan Bashant, the Eagles were unable to find the net.

Saratoga appeared ready to make the Eagles pay for that wastefulness, turning the tide and increasingly generating opportunities as the half wore on. When a Blue Streaks forward broke in behind the Eagles’ defense 23 minutes in, goalkeeper Parker Mooney came out bravely and deflected the opportunity to keep the game scoreless. But a defensive lapse in the 32nd minute would allow Saratoga a free shot on goal from point blank range. The resulting goal gave the Blue Streaks a 1-0 lead, and Bethlehem JV found themselves behind for the first time this season heading into halftime.

The second half saw the temperature of the game continue to heat up, with hard tackles, fouls, injuries and caution cards testing the resolve of players and officials alike. When a dubious penalty kick was awarded to Saratoga eight minutes into the half, it appeared the Eagles’ undefeated season could be drawing to a close. But Mooney guessed correctly and dove to his left, coming up big with a save to keep the deficit to one.

This would provide the emotional spark the Eagles needed. The sides battled relentlessly for control of the ball in the midfield, with tough, physical play continually disrupted by fouls despite the officials generally allowing play to continue. Every man on the roster contributed to the sustained pressure; but Bashant, Stevens, Orson Wagg and Rashad Hattak were notable physical presences for the Eagles inside, while Nalbone, Cam Thomas, Will Gokey, Emerson Denno and Jonny Radcliffe provided relentless pressure on the visitors.

Mane, who had been absorbing fouls and wreaking havoc in the offensive third throughout the game, was rewarded for his efforts 22 minutes into the half. During a scramble in the Saratoga box following a Gabe Stevens free kick, the ball dropped to Mane, who made no mistake in slotting it past the keeper. Clearly not content with a draw, the ebullient Eagles seized the ball from the next and ran it back to the center spot for a quick restart.

With under a minute remaining in regulation, Thomas, who had been craftily penetrating the Saratoga defense and generating opportunities throughout the game, unleashed a blast that caught the bottom of the Saratoga crossbar. The ball ricocheted down and was parried away by the keeper, but Mane was once again in the right place at the right time as he found the net to give Bethlehem the 2-1 lead as the ecstatic home crowd erupted.

2-1 would be the final. Quinn Behan finished out the game in goal and preserved the win for BC. The Eagles held a 58%-42% advantage in possession and recorded 13 shots (six on goal) to Saratoga’s five (three on goal). Corner kicks were 6-5 in Bethlehem’s favor, and the Eagles committed 12 fouls to Saratoga’s 18. It was the eleventh win of the season for the Eagles, who remain undefeated heading into their Saturday showdown with unbeaten Shaker.

~DD

Home vs. Columbia  Win 8-0

October 15, 2024

Eagles Exorcise the Blue Devils

In a lopsided contest, the Bethlehem Eagles JV trounced the Columbia Blue Devils 8-0. 

The home team started the scoring early, when Lennon Mane drew a foul in the third minute of the match.  Gabe Stevens stepped up from 27 yards and sent a magisterial shot just under the cross bar to put the Eagles on the board. 

Mane would be involved in the next 2 goals as well.  In the 5th minute a well worked series of passes down the right attacking flank culminated when Jonathan Radcliffe centered the ball to Lennon who put in the net.  In the 17th minute, the combo proved effective again, as Radcliffe found Mane who took 2 dribbles to his right to beat the defense before slotting it low to the keepers left.

In between Lennon’s goals, Orson Wagg capitalized on an exciting corner kick.  The initial ball into the area was met by Brendan Bashant, who’s effort rebounded off the crossbar.  Wagg directed the rebound in for the third goal of the game. 

The first half scoring was rounded out in the 21st minute when Cam Thomas dribbled through 4 defenders then unselfishly played the ball off to Radcliffe, who scored easily.

Radcliffe doubled his efforts early in the second half, when a Columbia corner kick was cleared from the area.  Radcliffe took possession of the clearance in the Eagle’s defensive half and used his blinding speed to fly past the opponents.  With 2 defenders to beat, and support coming to his left, Radcliffe used a deft stutter step to fake out the opponents and go one on one with the keeper, who he easily beat. Radcliffe would finish a hat trick in the 49th minute, once again assisted by Thomas. 

In the 56th, Gabe Stevens made a lung-busting run to shut down what was the guest best chance of the game so far, when an attacker broke the Eagles back line to threaten a 1-1 against the host net-minder. Rashad Hattak finished the scoring in the 71st minute, with a banger from the top of the D.  Columbia’s last best chance was 2 minutes later when they had a 2 on 1 bearing down on the Eagles defense.  Albert Zhang skillfully held up the player with the ball, while Bradley Middendorf made 30 yard sprint to get back and kick the ball out of bounds, preventing what would have been the Blue Devils only shot of the game. 

The Eagles outshot their opponents 17-0, with 9 shots on goal.  Columbia took 5 corners to Bethlehem’s 2.  Columbia was whistled 6 times for fouls, Bethlehem 4, and was offside only once, as opposed to 3 times that the Eagles were in an offside position.  Bethlehem improves to 10-0 on the season. 

~JM

Home vs. Niskayuna   Win 4-1

October 5, 2024

JV Eagles Give up Goal, Keep Undefeated Streak Intact

The Silver Warriors of Niskayuna visited the friendly confines of the BCHS campus on a sunny Saturday afternoon intent on giving the host a battle.  The first 15 minutes of the game saw the Nisky players on the front foot, as they put heavy pressure on a strong Eagles back line, anchored by Brendan Bashant, in his best performance of the season.  

After weathering the initial storm, Bethlehem’s Lucas Nalbone played a diagonal ball along the ground from just outside the top right corner of the 18-yard box.  The ball found its way to Johnny Radcliffe, who smartly stepped over the pass to allow it to continue to the unmarked Lennon Mane who snuck it past the visiting netminder to open the scoring in the 15th minutes.  That’s Lennon’s team leading 9th tally of the season.

The goal ignited the away team, who continued their high-pressure attack, putting 3 shots on goal over the next 10 minutes.  When the Eagles did go forward the attack was quickly shut down.  However, things got exciting starting in the 24th minute.  A Nisky foul led to a well-played free kick that found the foot of Orson Wagg, whose shot was palmed away from the waiting net.  Unfortunately, the player that made this impressive save was not the goalkeeper, leading to s straight red card to Niskayuna’s #7 for intentionally handling the ball and denying a goal scoring opportunity.   Wagg stepped up to take the responsibility of the ensuing spot kick and placed it calmly into the goal, giving Bethlehem a 2-0 lead. 

With 9 minutes left in the half, the Eagles went three up, once again capitalizing on set pieces.  Gabe Stevens played an inviting free kick across the penalty area to Rashad Hattak, waiting on the right-hand side of the box.  Shad unleashed a blast into the opposite side panel to end the scoring for the first half. 

The Nisky coaching staff made significant adjustments at the half, to recover from the shock of going a man down in the first half.  Despite the improved play of the guest, Bethlehem was able to win a corner kick in the 47th minute.  Once again, set-piece specialist Gabe played a beauty into the area, where Bashant met it in the air and headed the ball home with authority. 

The lopsided score line led the visiting team to play a little closer to the edge, committing 4 fouls in the remaining time.  The Silver Warriors finally brought an end to the combined clean sheets of Mooney and Behan in the 51st minutes in spectacular fashion.  A corner kick was delivered directly into the goal, scoring from the impossible angle.  This ended 330 minutes without allowing a goal – something the entire defensive platoon should be proud of!

Despite a late game heroics by Nixon Villeda, the score line remained unchanged at the final whistle.  The Eagles finished the game with a 4-1 win to improve to 9-0 on the season. 

The Boys in Black were proficient with their shooting, placing 7 of 8 shots on goal, with Nisky putting 6 of 8 on target.  Corner kicks  (4 vs 3) and fouls  won (7 vs 11) also favored the host. 

~JM

Home vs. Albany   Win 4-0

October 1, 2024

JV Eagles Extend Unbeaten Streak

As the calendar turned to October, the Bethlehem JV boys soccer team continued their dominance over all opponents.  In a game that was being billed as the toughest challenge that the team would face, the stalwart defense guided by Coach Ridgway continued to be an impenetrable wall, defeating Albany High 4-0.

Albany came prepared with a strong attack, taking 11 shots, which account for 1/3 of the total that Bethlehem has faced this season.  It looked like Albany was going to score early in the first half, as a ball played thru the Eagles back line caused goalkeeper Parker Mooney some indecision about how to play it.  The Albany attacker was able to get around the on-rushing Mooney for the early chance, but center back Gabe Stevens was able to swoop in at the last second to play the ball safely over the endline and prevent the goal. 

The hosts took the next shot of the game in the 14th minute, when Lennon Mane used his pace to round the Falcons defender and enter the left side of the penalty area, he then played a smart backward diagonal pass to Johnny Radcliffe who put a wrinkle in the old onion sack to put the Eagle on top 1-0. 

The remainder of the half was a highly enjoyable watch, with both teams giving the best they had.  Albany had the better of chances and looked sure to tie in the 35th minutes following a corner kick, but were denied by a tenacious defense, and the ball was finally played clear of the area, allow the Eagles to reset. The half finished with the host up by one.

Bethlehem came out the much stronger side after the intermission and exerted their dominance early. Just after the 44 minute mark, Emerson Denno lobbed an inviting cross from his position on the right flank high into the far side of the penalty box. Kaleb Murray leapt to meet the ball and floated a gentle header above the outstretched gloves of Albany’s Evan Bermejo to double the lead.  Four minutes later, Lennon Mane decided he wanted the goal himself, as he cleaned up on a deflected ball inside the six-yard box and sent it home for the third goal of the night.

Albany looked sure to notch their first tally in the 69th minute with a smart through ball to their speedy forward, who charged in on Quinn Behan, now in goal.  Behan was up to the test as he made a dominating kick save in the one-on-one situation to preserve the clean sheet.  On the ensuing corner kick, Behan was once again involved, but this time in a bit of foul play.  As Quinn and one of the Albany players vied for dominance of the goal area prior to the kick, the officials took note of both of their behaviors and issued both players Yellow Cards.  This led to a strange situation, where Mooney (now as an outfield player) had to rush to the bench, don his keeper gear, and fill the void left by the mandatory substitution rule.  The corner kick turned out to uneventful, despite the build-up.  The next substitution window saw Behan return to the goal and Mooney back in a black shirt. 

Mooney took advantage of his time on the field in the 75th to notch his second goal of the year, fed by a nifty assist from Luke Tatro.  The JV Eagles improve to 8-0 on the season. 

Stats:

Bethlehem scored 4 goals on 12 shots (9 on goal.). They took 4 corner kicks, committed 3 offside violations, 13 fouls, with 1 Yellow Card issued.

Albany took 11 shots (7 on goal), with no goals scored.  They took 5 corners, committed 2 offside violations, 6 fouls, with 1 yellow card issued.

~JM

Away vs. Averill Park   Win 6-0

September 29, 2024

Another Road Win Keeps JV Undefeated

The JV Eagles continued their winning ways on Saturday, earning a decisive victory on the road against Averill Park.

Lennon Mane opened the scoring early on a warm and sunny fall morning, finding the net less than a minute into the game after a feed from Lucas Nalbone. Bethlehem would continue to demonstrate a balanced attack and pepper the Averill Park keeper for the remainder of the first half, with shots recorded by Nalbone, Jonathan Radcliffe, Kaleb Murray, Cameron Thomas, Gabe Stevens, Nixon Villeda, Chun Heuston, Skyler Jans Van Rensburg, Grayson Stebbins and Will Phelps. Despite the sustained pressure, the half would end 1-0.

The Eagles would get an early start on the scoring in the second half as well, when the feisty Mane was pulled down in the box in the third minute. Orson Wagg stepped up and converted the spot kick to make it 2-0. Four minutes later Radcliffe received a pass from Nalbone and calmly finished to give Bethlehem their third. And Nalbone recorded his third assist in the 17th minute of the half, providing a cross to Parker Mooney to slot to the keeper’s lower left.

In the 32nd minute Stebbins stepped up to take a corner and surprised everyone by tucking a curled ball into the far post to extend the Eagles lead to five. And minutes later Stebbins would be the playmaker, sending a perfectly-weighted pass through for a streaking Radcliffe, who beat the keeper for his second goal of the day.

It was another dominant performance by the JV squad, who improved to 7-0 on the season. The Eagles held a 63%-37% advantage in possession and recorded 30 shots (19 on goal) while holding the opposition without a shot. Corner kicks were 14-1 in Bethlehem’s favor, and the Eagles committed three fouls to Averill Park’s eight. Quinn Behan and Parker Mooney split time in goal to give the Eagles their fifth clean sheet of 2024.

~DD

Home vs. Guilderland Win 5-0

September 26, 2024

Eagles Earn Another Clean Sheet at Home

The JV Eagles remained undefeated Thursday with a dominant win over Guilderland.

Cool, rainy weather and a soaked pitch didn’t deter the home squad as they controlled possession for the majority of the game, moving the ball well and repeatedly threatening in the Guilderland end. Gabe Stevens, Jonathan Radcliffe, Lennon Mane and Brendan Bashant were among those to test the Dutchmen keeper early. But the game remained scoreless until the 22nd minute, when Sean Doyle received a pass from Orson Wagg on the outside right and lofted a long ball into the box. Whether intended as a shot or a cross remains known only to him, but the ball was misplayed by the Guilderland keeper and landed in the net for a 1-0 Eagles lead.  

Rashad Hattak would thrill the home supporters with two acrobatic goals late in the half. On the first, he finished decisively on a diving header off a Stevens corner. The second was provided by right back Miller Schwarzschild when he sent a curling ball far post for Hattak, who lunged to volley the ball with the outside of his right boot to make it 3-0.

Guilderland mounted threatening counterattacks, but all were managed by the calm and organized Eagles backline. The outside pairings of Stevens, Doyle, Schwarzschild, Will Gokey and Albert Zhang stymied the visitors on the flanks, while physical play by center backs Bashant, Wagg, and Bradley Middendorf stamped out the occasional fires inside.

The scoring would continue for the Eagles in the second half, as Lucas Nalbone opened his account after receiving a pass from Kaleb Murray. Nalbone fired a shot between two defenders and caught the inside of the left post, leaving the Guilderland keeper helpless.

Nalbone, Luke Tatro and Chun Heuston would continue the peppering of the Dutchmen keeper before Lennon Mane headed in a cross from Doyle for Bethlehem’s fifth.  

5-0 would be the final. Parker Mooney and Quinn Behan combined to give the Eagles another clean sheet. The Eagles held a 62%-38% advantage in possession and recorded 22 shots (13 on goal) to Guilderland’s three (two on goal). Corner kicks were 8-2 in Bethlehem’s favor, and the Eagles committed five fouls to Guilderland’s eight. The win brings the undefeated JV Eagles to 6-0 on the season.

~DD

Away vs. Schenectady   Win 10-0

September 24, 2024

Eagles Stay Perfect on the Road

The JV Eagles improved on their perfect record Tuesday with a 10-0 win on the road in Schenectady.

The Patriots came out of the gate fiercely and gave Bethlehem some difficulty early on, but the traveling squad quickly settled in and took control, netting four goals in the opening 32 minutes. Lennon Mane opened the scoring four minutes in, slotting the ball far post after a pass from Jonathan Radcliffe. Lucas Nalbone fed the ball to Kaleb Murray for the second goal, and would factor in the third when he drilled a shot that was stopped by the Patriots keeper. The rebound was the perfect height for an opportunistic Mane, who headed the ball in with authority. The Eagles continued their aerial assault when Nixon Villeda headed home a Skyler Jans Van Rensburg corner at the back post to make it 4-0.

The second half brought no respite for the hosts, who conceded another header off the corner two minutes in when Brendan Bashant hammered home a Gabe Stevens cross. Just three minutes later Orson Wagg connected with Mane, who calmly finished to complete his hat trick. But Mane wasn’t finished, placing a pass back in the 13th minute of the half that Murray lofted over the Patriots keeper.

The scoring would continue in the 21st minute when Luke Tatro received a through ball from Grayson Stebbins and calmy finished after a one-on-one with the Schenectady keeper. Stebbins received his own through ball from Rashad Hattak minutes later and slotted it to the lower left to make it 9-0. And Tatro would complete the scoring with eight minutes remaining and earn a brace when Jans Van Rensburg played him through for a breakaway.

Parker Mooney and Quinn Behan were once again perfect in net, earning their third clean sheet in five games. The Eagles held a 66%-34% advantage in possession and recorded 30 shots (19 on goal) to Schenectady’s two. Corner kicks were 6-2 in Bethlehem’s favor, and the Eagles committed five fouls to the Patriots’ four. With the win, the JV Eagles improve to 5-0 on the season.

~DD

Away vs. Shenendehowa   Win 6-1

September 19, 2024

Eagles Make Statement on the Road

The highly anticipated annual matchup between Bethlehem and Shenendehowa rarely fails to entertain. This meeting was no exception from the Bethlehem perspective, as the JV Eagles headed to Clifton Park and handed the Plainsmen a lopsided, 6-1 drubbing.

It was a frenetic and physical affair, with the sides trading strong tackles, aerial duels and offensive chances. But it was the Eagles who would capitalize on their opportunities, breaking through in the 17th minute when Luke Tatro laid the ball off to a streaking Lennon Mane. Mane got behind the Shen defense on the left flank and cut inside to beat the keeper to the far post and open the scoring.

Mane would be involved again just two minutes later as he was cut down in the opposing box for a penalty kick. Orson Wagg stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball low to the keeper’s right to increase the margin to two.

Grayson Stebbins would make it 3-0 27 minutes in, scoring in his JV debut. Gabe Stevens received the ball following an Eagles corner kick and sent a pass to the top of the box for Stebbins, who unleashed a curling shot to the top right that kissed the crossbar before landing in the net to make it 3-0.

The Eagles nearly made it four when Nixon Villeda broke through on goal and was met by the Shen keeper. There was a collision at the top of the box, and in the ensuing chaos the ball was spit out to Skyler Jans Van Rensburg. Jans Van Rensburg played a long ball in on goal that rebounded off the post before being gobbled up by the scrambling keeper. Villeda was injured on the play, but able to walk off the pitch to the relief of the traveling supporters.

Eagles keeper Parker Mooney anchored a solid defense and kept the Plainsmen scoreless to end the first half 3-0.

Shen looked to turn the tide in the second half, but early Eagles chances continued to test the Plainsmen keeper and Luke Tatro thrilled the crowd by sending a thundering header just over the crossbar. Tatro would not be denied eight minutes into the half when Lucas Nalbone fired a shot from the right side. The keeper stopped the initial attempt, but Tatro banged home the rebound to make it 4-0 Eagles.

When Shen broke through the Eagles defense and scored less than a minute later, it seemed possible momentum could shift in their favor. But Bethlehem quickly crushed any notion of a comeback when Stevens sent a curling cross into Wagg, who headed the ball home for his second of the match. When Jans Van Rensburg broke in from the right to receive bending, cross-field pass from Sean Doyle and neatly placed it far post to make it 6-1 Eagles, the Shenendehowa crowd was silent.

The JV Eagles received strong efforts from every man on the roster, with notable contributions from their central midfield combinations of Wagg, Stebbins, Cameron Thomas, Kaleb Murray, Rashad Hattak and Will Phelps. The Eagles held a 57%-43% advantage in possession and recorded 14 shots (10 on goal) to Shen’s nine (five on goal). Corner kicks were 6-1 in Bethlehem’s favor, and the Eagles committed seven fouls to Shen’s nine. Quinn Behan was solid in net in the second half as the Eagles improve to 4-0 on the season.

~DD

Away vs Ballston Spa     Win 8-2

September 10, 2024

JV Eagles kick off season in style

The Bethlehem Junior Varsity boys traveled up the Northway to Ballston Spa High School for the start of the new season and put on a spectacular show for the traveling fans. 

The boys in white opened the scoring in the 5th minute, when a Gabe Stevens free kick from 27 yards cleared the heads of everyone and found Cam Thomas lurking at the 6-yard line to guide it in goal.  Thomas netted his brace 4 minutes later when a deflected pass landed at his foot.  He drove the ball low and hard to the keepers right for the goal.  Ballston Spa cut the lead in half in the 28th minute, when a free kick found its way cleanly through the forest of Eagles defenders to the striker waiting on the far post, who snuck it past the keeper.

In the 35th minute, the Scottie keeper suffered a momentary lapse of judgement and played a ball directly to Bethlehem attacker Rashad Hattak, who calmly rolled the ball across the goal line.  The first half scoring was rounded out in the 39th minute when a hopeful through ball was played in the path of the pacey Johnny Radcliffe.  Radcliffe sped past the defender to receive the ball and beat the keeper in a one-on-one face-off.

The half time adjustments made by the host seemed to pay off, netting a goal off a 69th minute corner kick that found the head of the attacker on the far post.   The Eagles were held goalless for the first 32 minutes of the half, despite constant pressure in the offensive end, as shown by the seven corner kicks won.  Then in the 73rd minute Cam was able to round his defender on the right wing and drive across the endline, where he sent an excellent back pass across the scoring zone to an on rushing Kaleb Murray, who opened the floodgates.  After stealing the ball from the restart, Bethlehem scored 2 minutes later when the newly minted midfielder Will Phelps sent a well placed dribbler to the right of the diving keeper, who just couldn’t get enough purchase on the ball to prevent the goal. 

Johnny Radcliffe finished off his hat trick with rapid fire poacher’s goals in the 77th and 78th minutes.  First a well taken shot by Luke Tatro was tapped in by Radcliffe, then Johnny cleaned up the rebound from a Cam Thomas shot to finish the scoring. 

The Eagles start the season 1-0.

~JM