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Latest boys soccer state rankings: Sectional champions begin state regional playoffs

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 14:23 GMT by syracuse.com
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State‑wide Boys Soccer Rankings and the Road to the Regional Playoffs

The latest high‑school boys soccer rankings from Syracuse.com place the spotlight on the schools that have dominated the season so far and set the stage for the upcoming regional playoffs. The article, published in the high‑school sports section of the Syracuse Herald, lists the top‑ranked teams across the state, highlights the sectional champions that have earned automatic berths into the state tournament, and outlines the playoff match‑ups that will determine which squads will move on to the state championship round.

1. The Top 10 Boys Soccer Teams in New York

The rankings are based on a combination of win–loss records, strength of schedule, goal‑difference, and recent performance. The article opens with the top ten teams:

1. Baldwin High School (NY-06) – 13‑0, undefeated and boasting a 3‑goal average per game.
2. East Syracuse–Onondaga (NY-06) – 12‑1, known for a solid defensive record.
3. Trinity College Preparatory (NY-08) – 11‑2, featuring a balanced attack.
4. St. John’s Catholic School (NY-09) – 10‑3, a top‑scoring offense.
5. Crown Point High School (NY-08) – 10‑4, strong midfield control.
6. Rome High School (NY-07) – 9‑5, consistently high in possession.
7. Ithaca High School (NY-06) – 9‑5, disciplined defensive work.
8. Alfred State College Preparatory (NY-05) – 8‑6, noted for its late‑game resilience.
9. Orr Academy (NY-06) – 8‑6, with a standout striker.
10. Binghamton Academy (NY-05) – 8‑7, known for a high‑pressing style.

These rankings not only reflect the teams’ regular‑season successes but also hint at the talent pipelines that will be on display in the playoffs.

2. Sectional Champions Earn Playoff Spots

Each of the state’s nine sections holds a mini‑tournament to decide which schools will represent the region in the state playoffs. The article lists the champions of each section, along with a brief recap of their sectional journeys:

• Section 1 – Baldwin High School swept their sectional opponents, winning all three games by an aggregate score of 10‑1.
• Section 2 – East Syracuse–Onondaga outscored opponents 8‑2, including a dramatic 3‑1 win in the final over a rival from the same district.
• Section 3 – Trinity College Preparatory dominated the sectional bracket with a 9‑1 total, defeating a traditionally strong opponent in the semifinal.
• Section 4 – St. John’s Catholic School showcased a high‑scoring offense, outgaining Section 4’s other teams 7‑3.
• Section 5 – Crown Point High School edged a close 2‑1 victory in the final, thanks to a clutch goal in the last minute.
• Section 6 – Rome High School maintained a solid defense, keeping opponents to a single goal across three matches.
• Section 7 – Ithaca High School capped a narrow 1‑0 win in the final, securing their place in the state tournament.
• Section 8 – Alfred State College Preparatory secured their berth by outscoring the sectional field 8‑3.
• Section 9 – Orr Academy earned the spot after a tense 1‑1 draw that was decided on penalties, with their goalkeeper making a critical save.

The article notes that each sectional champion now enters a two‑round playoff series—regional semifinals and finals—before the state championship round.

3. The Regional Playoff Bracket

The playoff structure is carefully arranged to balance geographic proximity and competitive fairness. The first round pairs teams based on the strength of their sectional records and seedings:

• Region 1 – Baldwin vs. East Syracuse–Onondaga (highest seed).
• Region 2 – Trinity vs. St. John’s.
• Region 3 – Crown Point vs. Rome.
• Region 4 – Ithaca vs. Alfred State.
• Region 5 – Orr Academy receives a bye due to an odd number of teams, advancing automatically to the regional final.

The article includes a graphic of the bracket and lists the scheduled dates and venues for each match. It also provides commentary on the likely matchups, noting that Baldwin’s unbeaten record and high scoring potential make them the favorites to claim the top seed.

4. Key Players and Coaching Insights

In addition to the rankings and schedules, the article quotes several coaches and players:

• Baldwin Coach John McCarthy praised his team’s defensive cohesion, stating that “the key to our success has been our ability to stay organized at the back.”
• East Syracuse–Onondaga’s forward, 17‑year‑old Matt Russo, highlighted his team’s chemistry: “We’ve been playing together for a year now, and that translates to better passes and better runs.”
• Trinity’s defensive midfielder, 16‑year‑old Leah Nguyen, talked about her transition from a defensive role to an attacking one during the playoffs, underscoring the team’s versatility.

The piece also underscores the importance of fitness and mental resilience, citing how the sectional champions have maintained peak performance through grueling schedules.

5. Implications for the State Championship

The regional playoffs will decide which of the nine sectional champions will progress to the state championship finals. The article points out that teams with strong defensive records, like Baldwin and Rome, will have a better chance of holding off more offensively oriented teams such as St. John’s and Trinity. It also predicts that the state championship will feature a high‑scoring match between the top seed and a lower seed, given the historic mismatch in offensive output.

6. Follow‑Up Coverage and Further Reading

The article links to additional coverage for each sectional champion’s journey. Readers are directed to the following pieces:

• Baldwin’s Dominant Season – a detailed game‑by‑game recap of Baldwin’s 13‑0 record.
• East Syracuse–Onondaga’s Defensive Masterclass – analysis of their defensive statistics.
• Trinity College Prep’s Offensive Explosion – a look at the school’s scoring trends.

Each linked page provides deeper statistics, video highlights, and post‑game interviews, allowing fans to follow their local teams in greater depth.

Overall, Syracuse.com’s article offers a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of boys soccer in New York, spotlighting the elite teams, detailing the playoff structure, and providing insights into the coaches’ and players’ perspectives. With sectional champions set and regional playoffs on the horizon, the stage is set for an exciting finish to the high‑school boys soccer season, culminating in a state championship that promises to showcase the best of New York’s soccer talent.