Bethlehem celebrates after beating Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake for the Section 2, Class AA title on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at LaSalle Institute in Troy, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)

TROY - Not a single opponent has been able to find the blueprint to defeating the Bethlehem boys' soccer team this season.

That continued through Saturday's Section 2 Class AA championship between Bethlehem and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, as the top-seeded Eagles remained unbeaten on the season and captured their second sectional title in three seasons by gutting out a 1-0 win over the No. 2 Spartans at La Salle Institute.

"We've got a huge senior group, so, obviously, it's the last time for them. Doing this with them is a big deal," Bethlehem coach Brian Spina said. "It's my fourth year now as the head coach. I watch our younger teams constantly and, as they're coming up, you always hope for a team like this."

"This is just an insane feeling," Bethlehem senior forward Ayaz Sajid said. "I've been playing with these guys forever and we all love each other. We all had the same goal in the beginning of the season and we were able to accomplish that."

The game remained scoreless until Bethlehem senior midfielder Orson Wagg found the back of the net with 28:25 remaining. Senior defender Ian NeJame provided the assist.

"I made sure to get a head on that one," Wagg said. "When I saw it in the air, I made sure to attack it and not just let it come to me. I think that taking that stance and just gambling … paid off - and, then, we scored."

Key moment

The Spartans appeared to draw even at 1-1 with 4:48 left to play, but their would-be goal was wiped out by an offside call.

Bethlehem did not allow a goal in any of its Section 2 playoff games.

Star of the game

Wagg provided all the offense his team needed as he scored Bethlehem's first goal since October 22 in the Eagles' quarterfinal win over Amsterdam. Bethlehem had advanced to Saturday's final on penalty kicks against Niskayuna on Monday following a scoreless draw.

"I'm happy for him, happy for the group," Spina said. "We worked hard. We talk a lot about patience and building into the next opportunity, so we had a couple in the first half we liked, but didn't quite execute. For him to go and finish like that in the second half was huge for us."

Numbers to know
  • 13: Shutouts the Bethlehem defense, paced by junior goalie Parker Mooney, has posted this season.
  • 8: Consecutive wins Burnt Hills had earned entering Saturday.
  • 5: Yellow cards that the teams combined to draw.
What's next
  • Bethlehem: The Eagles (16-0-2), ranked second in the state Class AA poll, will take on Section 3 champion Watertown (18-0), ranked No. 1 in the state, at 2 p.m. next Saturday at Waterford-Halfmoon High School.
  • Burnt Hills: The Spartans, who were denied in their quest for their first sectional title since 2019 (Class A), wrapped up their season with an 11-5-2 showing.
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This article originally published at Undefeated Bethlehem earns Section 2 Class AA boys' soccer championship.