Finding the joy: Inside Bethlehem girls' soccer's turnaround heading into Class AA final

No. 2 Bethlehem will rematch No. 5 Ballston Spa on Tuesday for the Section 2 Class AA championship after both teams won their semifinals. Bethlehem (10-4-3) enters at 7:30 p.m. at Shaker High School with a 2-0 semifinal victory over Mohonasen on Friday. The Eagles’ turnaround follows a tough 5-10-1 season last fall, capped by a 3-2 quarterfinal loss to Ballston Spa. First-year coach Scott Geis has doubled wins by building a culture of unity, confidence and “joy,” including motivational quotes at practice. Junior June McCarthy’s hat trick helped Bethlehem beat Queensbury 5-0. Braddock scored twice in the semifinal. Bethlehem seeks its first sectional title since 2019; Ballston Spa aims for its first ever.