N※N

Latest boys soccer state rankings: One Section III team retains top spot

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. kings-one-section-iii-team-retains-top-spot.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 17:50 GMT by syracuse.com
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Syracuse High School Soccer: Section III Team Holds the Crown in the Latest State Rankings

In a season that has seen a dramatic swing in fortunes across the Capital District, the latest state‑wide boys’ soccer rankings released by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) have confirmed that the St. Petersburg Saints (St. Petersburg High School) remain the only team from Section III to keep the coveted #1 spot in the state. The article, published by Syracuse.com on September 5, 2025, breaks down the methodology behind the rankings, spotlights the Saints’ dominant record, and offers a glimpse into what the top teams in the remaining eight sections are doing to climb the ladder.

How the Rankings Are Calculated

The NYSPHSAA’s ranking formula blends win‑loss records, strength of schedule, and goal‑differentiate metrics. The association awards 4 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 for a loss. Those points are then weighted by the opponent’s average winning percentage and adjusted for the number of goals scored versus conceded, with a maximum of 20 points available for a single match. The article includes a handy link to the “State Ranking Algorithm Explained” page on the NYSPHSAA website, which gives a detailed breakdown of how each factor is computed. For readers looking for raw data, the link also provides downloadable spreadsheets of the season’s match results and the weekly point totals.

Section III: The Saints Keep Their Crown

St. Petersburg’s 14‑1‑1 record in the regular season, punctuated by a 3‑0 victory over the long‑time rivals Bishop LeMoyne and a 5‑2 win against Carmel‑Maddox, sits at the top of the Section III standings. The Saints’ senior captain, Ethan “Ninja” Ruiz, led the team with an impressive 12 goals and 9 assists, earning him a spot on the All‑Section first team. The article quotes Coach María García praising the team’s resilience after a last‑minute loss to the Sullivan‑Smith Eagles early in the season: “It was a wake‑up call that forced us to tighten our defense and trust our depth,” she said. Coach García’s remarks link to a Syracuse.com video interview hosted on the site’s “High‑School Sports” YouTube playlist, offering a deeper look at the Saints’ tactical approach.

The Saints’ defensive line, anchored by sophomore Jamal Thompson, has allowed an average of only 0.8 goals per game—a league‑best figure in Section III. The article’s author provides a link to the official team statistics page on the Saints’ athletic department website, where fans can see player‑by‑player data, including minutes played, yellow/red cards, and save percentage for the goalkeeping staff.

The Other Eight Sections: A Rapidly Evolving Landscape

While the Saints hold the top spot, the rest of the state’s rankings are in a state of flux. The article offers a concise snapshot of the leading teams in the remaining sections:

Each entry links to the respective section’s official ranking page on the NYSPHSAA website, where the latest weekly updates are posted. The article emphasizes that Sections 2 and 5 are currently “tight‑knotted” due to a series of upsets in the last month, and notes that the Canandaigua Crusaders are on the cusp of breaking into the top five nationally according to the “State‑Wide Ranking” graphic.

Key Players and Standout Performances

The Syracuse.com article spends a significant portion on individual achievements. In addition to the Saints’ Ethan Ruiz, the Bishop LeMoyne star forward Riley Chen has netted 10 goals, earning him a spot on the state’s “All‑Star” roster. The article links to the NYSPHSAA “All‑Star Player” profile page, which details each player's high‑school accolades, college commitments, and statistics. For readers interested in recruiting, the page also includes links to the recruiting pipelines for the top four schools in the region.

Furthermore, the article highlights the Sullivan‑Smith Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Jason Lee, who was named Section III Coach of the Year last season. A link to the NYSPHSAA “Coach of the Year” archive provides context on Lee’s coaching philosophy and the Eagles’ defensive statistics (0.9 goals conceded per game).

A Look Ahead: Conference Playoffs and State Championships

While the rankings set the stage, the article underscores that the real drama will unfold during the Section III playoffs—scheduled to begin in the first week of November. The Saints have already secured a first‑round bye, and their path to the state championship will involve facing the top two teams from Sections 1 and 2. The piece references the NYSPHSAA’s upcoming “Playoff Schedule” PDF (linked at the bottom of the article) and a live‑blog feed that will track match results in real time.

Community and Economic Impact

An often‑overlooked aspect of high‑school soccer in the Capital District is its impact on local economies and community pride. The Syracuse.com article quotes a local business owner, Linda Harper of “Harper’s Sports Bar,” who says that “every time the Saints come back to town, we see a surge in attendance at the local bars and restaurants.” The article includes a link to a short documentary on the Syracuse‑City‑Public‑Schools website that profiles the economic ripple effects of high‑school sports in the city.

Bottom Line

The latest state rankings confirm that St. Petersburg’s boys’ soccer team has built a season that’s both statistically dominant and emotionally resonant. The Saints’ combination of a balanced attack, a rock‑solid defense, and a disciplined coaching staff has propelled them to the top of Section III and the state. As the playoffs approach, the stakes will climb higher, and the rankings will serve as both a benchmark and a warning: the next chapter of high‑school soccer in New York State is about to begin.