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Sports Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, October 29, 2009


Guilderland deadlocks with Bethlehem, gets ready for sectionals

By Jordan J. Michael

BETHLEHEM –– The Dutchmen soccer team ended its regular season last Thursday with another scoreless tied game.

Guilderland already had scoreless ties with Colonie and Burnt Hills in Suburban Council play, but added another with the Eagles last Thursday in Bethlehem to end the regular season with a 10-3-3 record, good for second place behind the Eagles.

Bethlehem retained its slim lead over Guilderland in the Suburban Council South by forcing the tie. It was a defensive standoff between two powerful teams.

“It was an enjoyable game to watch from the sidelines,” said Dutch Head Coach Mike Kinnally. “Both teams played well and everyone was sucking wind in overtime.”

Guilderland goalkeeper Devin Bailey had five saves and Bethlehem’s Dan Maddock had four saves in a contest that was relatively equal on scoring chances. Play seemed to slow down as overtime dragged on and as the evening’s dark crept in.

The Eagles are playing on a new soccer field this season that is enclosed within a black fence and it was the Dutch’s first time on the new turf. There was also a live band playing during breaks in play.

“I don’t know what’s going on with that band, but the field is definitely nice,” Kinnally said.

Bailey robbed a shot by Bethlehem’s Stephen Russo late in the second half and Jordan Weeden just missed putting one in for Guilderland off his head after a beautiful cross by Zachary Matteo.

The best chances for the Dutchmen in both overtimes were off the foot of Dylan Tate. He had a corner kick in the first sudden death that hit the crossbar, and another shot in the second overtime that went wide left. The Eagles’ best chance in the extras was a screaming shot by Zach Rockmore that was saved by Bailey.

Guilderland lost a lot of scoring from last year’s undefeated championship team, but still managed to net 45 goals in 2009. The defense has only surrendered nine goals all season. Nick Cannistraci leads the team with eight goals.

The Dutchmen won’t be drowning opponents with offense in sectionals like last year. This season’s team will be protecting the goal at all costs. Also, Guilderland is the only team to have beaten powerhouse Shenendehowa.

“Regular season and sectionals are two different worlds,” said Kinnally. “You have to be good and lucky. There are no free passes. We might have to rely a little more on luck this time around.”

The Dutch host Christian Brothers Academy today at 3 p.m. on Snyder Field in the first round of the Class AA sectionals.

Kinnally is moderately concerned with how the flu will affect teams in the playoffs after recently playing some opponents that had rosters wiped out due to the illness.

“Hopefully, all that sickness is gone, but it’ll probably get worse,” Kinnally said. “The flu will have an effect because it already has.” 


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