Saranac's Nolan Hamel (5) carries it in and fires the shot in overtime for the game-winner. BEEKMANTON, NY--The top-seeded and No. 10-ranked team in New York State, the Saranac Spartans, are headed to the NYSPHSAA Class B State Tournament after a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory over the second-seeded Northeastern Clinton Cougars in the Section VII Class B Boys Soccer Championship Wednesday night at Beekmantown Central School in Beekmantown, New York. Playing in front of several hundred spectators on a crisp fall evening with temperatures in the upper 40s, the championship match showcased two of Section VII's premier programs in a defensive battle that remained scoreless through regulation. Neither team found a breakthrough in the first half, and the deadlock continued through the second despite several scoring chances. Saranac controlled much of the offensive play, outshooting Northeastern Clinton 10-3, but Cougars goalkeeper Mason Favreau delivered a stellar performance to keep the match level. Favreau was outstanding between the posts, turning aside nine shots and frustrating the Spartans throughout regulation and into overtime. With the score still tied after 80 minutes of regulation, the match moved into overtime. Just six minutes into the extra session, Saranac found its championship moment. In the 86th minute, Henry Napper delivered a pass to Nolan Hamel, who buried the golden goal and sent the Spartans into celebration as the crowd erupted. The Spartans' defense was equally impressive throughout the evening. Goalkeeper Elliot Batty made three saves to secure the shutout while the Saranac back line limited Northeastern Clinton's opportunities and protected the narrow lead once the breakthrough arrived. The victory improves Saranac's record to 13-2-2 and secures the Section VII Class B championship. The Spartans now advance to the NYSPHSAA Class B State Tournament, where they will await the winner of Section II in the state quarterfinal round. Northeastern Clinton finishes with an impressive 11-6 record after a strong run to the sectional championship match. For Saranac, the sectional title is the latest achievement in an outstanding season. Ranked among New York State's best Class B teams, the Spartans will now turn their attention to the state tournament as they pursue an even bigger prize and look to keep their championship run alive. Gallery

Northeastern Clinton's Jason Langlois (14) rises above Saranac's James Lefevre (2) with the header at midfield. Gallery

Ausable Valley's Elin Post (11) with a shot to the far corner to give the Patriots the 2-0 lead. BEEKMANTOWN, N.Y. — After 110 minutes of intense championship soccer and a tense penalty kick shootout, the top-seeded Ausable Valley Patriots claimed the NYSPHSAA Section VII Class B Girls' Soccer Championship in a dramatic victory over the second-seeded Northeastern Clinton Cougars on Wednesday night at Beekmantown Central School. With a few hundred fans lining the sidelines and a light mist settling over the field during the second half, the two rivals delivered a championship match worthy of the occasion before Ausable Valley prevailed 3-1 in penalty kicks to secure the sectional title. The Patriots struck quickly, taking the lead just four minutes in when Elin Post finished a scoring opportunity created by Renne Bruno to make it 1-0. Ausable Valley doubled its advantage in the 17th minute as Nora Rogers found the back of the net off an assist from Anna Bailey, giving the Patriots a commanding 2-0 lead. Northeastern Clinton responded before halftime and gained momentum when Carley Anctil scored in the 30th minute on an assist from Anna Raccine, cutting the deficit to 2-1 heading into the break. The Cougars continued to press in the second half and were rewarded in the 60th minute when Lexi Arno scored the equalizer, knotting the match at 2-2 and setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Neither team found a breakthrough in the remainder of regulation or during two overtime periods, despite several quality chances. The championship would ultimately be decided from the penalty spot. In the shootout, Ausable Valley held its nerve. The Patriots converted key attempts and took a 3-1 penalty lead in the fourth round, sparking a championship celebration as players rushed onto the field. Northeastern Clinton controlled much of the offensive action, finishing with a 13-7 edge in shots on goal. Cougars goalkeeper Peyton Scott recorded five saves, while Patriots goalkeeper Lula Pfendler delivered a standout championship performance with 11 saves, repeatedly denying Northeastern Clinton chances and keeping her team alive until the shootout. With the sectional championship victory, Ausable Valley advances to the NYSPHSAA Class B Tournament and will await the winner of the Section II championship. For the Patriots, the title marks the culmination of a determined postseason run and sends them into the state tournament with confidence and momentum. For Northeastern Clinton, the season ends heartbreakingly close to a sectional crown after a spirited championship effort that required 110 minutes and penalty kicks to decide. Gallery

Northeastern Clinton's Peyton Scott (44) with the diving stop to keep it a tie game and force overtime. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Ella Hartman (6) with the spike she sends to the center of the court. PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh Hornets continued their strong season Wednesday night, defeating the Northeastern Clinton Cougars in straight sets in a NYSPHSAA Section VII volleyball matchup, 25-16, 27-25, 25-6. Plattsburgh came out firing in the opening set, racing to a 5-0 lead and never looking back to win 25-16. The second set was the evening's most competitive. Northeastern Clinton jumped out to a 4-0 lead early, but the Hornets answered with a dominant 14-6 run to take control. The Cougars refused to go away, closing the set on an impressive 11-3 surge, but Plattsburgh held off the comeback attempt to escape with a hard-fought 27-25 win and a two-set advantage. With momentum firmly on their side, the Hornets delivered a commanding third-set performance. Emma Calkins served up 13 consecutive points to open the frame, helping Plattsburgh build an insurmountable lead. The Hornets cruised from there, closing out the match with a decisive 25-6 victory. The win improves Plattsburgh to 8-4, while Northeastern Clinton falls to 0-9. The Hornets will return to action on October 20 when they travel to Ellenburg to face Northern Adirondack. The Cougars will also return to the court on October 20, hosting Saranac. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Ella Hartman (6) with the hard spoke down u Gallery">Gallery

Northeastern Clinton (17) and Plattsburgh's Molly Meyer (8) battle for the ball along the sidelines. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The Plattsburgh Hornets hosted the Northeastern Clinton Cougars in Champlain Valley Athletic Conference girls soccer action at the Plattsburgh Athletic Complex on Wednesday. The two teams traded blows throughout the first half, creating scoring chances on both ends of the field. However, neither side found the back of the net, and the game remained scoreless heading into halftime. The evenly matched play continued through much of the second half as both teams searched for the game's first goal. The breakthrough finally came in the 71st minute when Lexi Arno capitalized on a scoring opportunity to give Northeastern Clinton a 1-0 advantage. Arno was not finished. Just one minute later, she struck again to extend the Cougars' lead to 2-0 and provide some valuable insurance. From there, the Northeastern Clinton defense clamped down, preventing the Hornets from mounting a comeback and preserving the shutout victory. With the win, the Cougars improve to 4-4 and will return to action Thursday when they host the Saranac Spartans. Meanwhile, the Hornets fall to 0-5-1 and will keep searching for their first win next week when they travel to face the Saranac Spartans. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Molly Meyer (8) and Maddie Arno (19) battle for the ball at midfield. Gallery

Saranac's Elizabeth Recore (4) with the three from the corner as the Spartans get the 38-36 victory. It would be the start of the second day of action at the Clinton Community College Florence Gym, as the #1 Saranac Spartans would take on the #2 Northeastern Clinton Cougars for the right to advance to the New York State Class B Tournament. Defense would be the name of the game, as the Cougars would start at just 6-2 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the offense would come alive on both sides, as the Spartans won the quarter 13-12 but trailed 18-15 at the intermission. When the teams returned for the third quarter, it would be another low-scoring affair, as the Spartans won the quarter 11-9, and the Cougars took the slim 27-26 lead into the final 8 minutes. In the fourth quarter, the Spartans would let their defense stand strong as they would come back and win the quarter 12-9 to get the 38-36 victory In the winning effort for the Spartans Madison Gaginer would have 18 points as they advance to the New York State Class B Tournament and the Northeastern Clinton Cougars season would come to end as Grace Praire would have ten points. Gallery

Northeastern Clinton's Lexi Roberts breaks in for the score as she lays it off the window, scoring eight points. Gallery