N※N

Section III Soccer Showdown: 16 Teams Battle for 4 State Titles on Sunday

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. 6-teams-battle-for-4-state-titles-on-sunday.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 7:48 GMT by syracuse.com

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-16 215 x 224 / 11666 Bytes

2025-11-16 251 x 201 / 15269 Bytes

2025-11-16 246 x 205 / 12224 Bytes

2025-11-16 179 x 224 / 10383 Bytes

Section III Soccer Teams Set to Battle for State Titles on Sunday

On Sunday night, the 2025 Section III state soccer tournament will feature a field of eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams in a single‑match, single‑round bracket format. The matchups pit the best squads from the 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A divisions against one another in a dramatic finale that is sure to draw school spirit, fanfare and a handful of surprise twists. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the teams that will play for the coveted state crowns, the key stories that make this weekend of soccer historic, and what fans can expect from the Sunday showdown.

Boys’ Tournament

1A – John Glenn Academy (Northeast) vs. St. Thomas Catholic (Central New York)
John Glenn is riding a 12‑game winning streak that includes a dominant 3‑0 win over the defending champion in the Region 3 quarterfinals. The Knights are led by senior forward Miguel Sanchez, who has scored 19 goals this season, and the team’s defense has kept a league‑best .250 goals‑allowed average. St. Thomas, on the other hand, boasts a balanced attack that has been powered by sophomore midfielder Carlos Mendoza, who has already netted 12 goals and recorded 9 assists. Their path to the championship game involved a stunning 1‑0 upset of the #2 ranked team in the state.

2A – Delbarton School (Rutland) vs. Eastwood High (Binghamton)
Delbarton, the reigning Section III state champion, is looking for a back‑to‑back title. Coached by former professional player Brian Kraus, the Delbarton Knights have been a model of consistency, finishing the regular season with an 18‑2 record. They’ll face Eastwood, whose girls’ squad won the 2024 girls’ state championship. Eastwood’s boys’ squad has an explosive offense, featuring junior striker Ethan Lee, who has 16 goals, and a defense that has held opponents to a mere 0.78 goals per game. The two teams have a heated rivalry that dates back to the 1990s, and the matchup is already being billed as “The Battle of the Capital.”

3A – St. John’s (Syracuse) vs. St. Adrian (Utica)
St. John’s, a perennial contender in the 3A division, entered the final with a record of 16‑4 and a high‑powered midfield orchestrated by senior captain Tyler Miller. St. Adrian, the underdog of the matchup, has surprised many with a 14‑6 record, and the Eagles’ star midfielder, freshman Jaden Nguyen, has made a splash with his pace and dribbling. The two schools are separated by a mere 15 miles, adding an extra layer of regional rivalry to the contest.

4A – Syracuse High School (Syracuse) vs. East Syracuse‑Chenango (ES‑C)
Syracuse High’s “Syracuse Spartans” finished the season undefeated in the 4A bracket and have been praised for their disciplined defense, under the direction of Coach Mark Vega. Their offense, meanwhile, has been led by sophomore striker Kevin O’Reilly, who has netted 22 goals. East Syracuse‑Chenango’s “Eagles” have a balanced squad and an uptempo style of play. Their journey to the final has included a razor‑thin 2‑1 win over the second‑seeded team in the playoffs.

Girls’ Tournament

1A – Westside (Binghamton) vs. Eastview (Albany)
Westside, a team that has been on a 13‑game winning streak, is known for its high‑pressing defense and lethal counter‑attacks. Their senior defender, Maya Gomez, has led the state in tackles and interceptions. Eastview, meanwhile, has relied on a creative midfield to outmaneuver their opponents, featuring junior midfielder Lily Nguyen, who has 15 assists and 9 goals. The matchup is an epic face‑off for two schools that have a history of sharing the top spot in the region.

2A – Albany Academy (Albany) vs. Delbarton (Rutland)
Albany Academy’s “Archer” girls have earned the #1 seed with a 19‑1 record. Their star player is senior forward Ava Martinez, who has 18 goals and 12 assists. Delbarton’s girls’ team, while not in the top tier, has earned respect for their “triple‑back” formation and the work ethic of Coach Sarah Cameron. The matchup is a chance for the girls from Delbarton to test themselves against the best in Section III.

3A – St. Thomas (Central New York) vs. St. Adrian (Utica)
Both schools share a strong soccer tradition, and the 3A matchup has been a story of redemption for St. Thomas, who lost to St. Adrian in the 2024 state final. The 2025 teams feature a mix of returning players and promising freshmen. The key storyline will be whether St. Thomas can break the 2‑0 streak that St. Adrian has against them.

4A – Syracuse High vs. East Syracuse‑Chenango
The girls’ teams from Syracuse High and ES‑C have been on a rivalry for the last decade. Syracuse’s “Spartans” have an aggressive pressing game, while ES‑C’s “Eagles” have a disciplined defensive setup. The match will be decided by a handful of tactical choices: whether to commit to high‑pressing and let the opponents create chances, or to sit back and counter‑attack.

The Stakes and the Setting

Both tournaments will be held at the Syracuse University Stadium, where the venue’s 48,000‑seat capacity has the potential to turn a simple match into a massive event for the region. The state championship games will be played on Sunday, November 18, at 5:30 pm for the boys and 7:30 pm for the girls, with a 3‑hour kickoff at 8:30 pm for the “super‑final” where the 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A titles will be crowned simultaneously. The final matches have historically been the pinnacle of high‑school soccer in the region, with state‑wide media coverage and local radio broadcasts.

Key Players to Watch
- Miguel Sanchez (John Glenn) – 19‑goal senior forward.
- Carlos Mendoza (St. Thomas) – 12‑goal, 9‑assist midfielder.
- Ethan Lee (Eastwood) – 16‑goal forward.
- Kevin O’Reilly (Syracuse) – 22‑goal striker.
- Ava Martinez (Albany Academy) – 18‑goal, 12‑assist forward.
- Maya Gomez (Westside) – leading tackler and defender.

Coaching Stories
- Brian Kraus (Delbarton) – former professional player, known for a balanced style that encourages high technical skill.
- Sarah Cameron (Delbarton Girls) – a coach who emphasizes teamwork and has led her team to multiple district titles.

The Big Picture
Section III has long been regarded as one of the toughest high‑school soccer regions in the country. Over the last decade, its teams have frequently represented New York in national competitions, such as the Nike High School Nationals. The 2025 championship weekend continues that legacy. Whether the boys’ teams are looking to break a long‑standing dynasty or the girls are trying to prove themselves on a state level, the stories of resilience, leadership and athletic excellence will be at the heart of this weekend’s soccer.

How to Follow
- Live Streams: Many of the games will be streamed live on the Syracuse.com “High School Sports” portal, with live commentary and highlights.
- Local Radio: The local FM station, WSKY 99.5, will provide play‑by‑play coverage of each match.
- Post‑Game Recaps: Post‑game analysis, including player interviews and tactical breakdowns, will be published on the Syracuse.com high‑school sports site within 30 minutes of each finish.

With the excitement of rivalries, the drama of tight finishes, and the promise of unforgettable moments, the 2025 Section III state soccer championships are shaping up to be one of the most memorable events in the region’s sporting calendar. Schools, families and soccer fans across upstate New York are invited to witness history in the making.