{"id":1316,"date":"2026-04-12T11:01:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T11:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/1316\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T11:01:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T11:01:59","slug":"rotterdam-high-school-soccer-rivals-share-drive-for-greatness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/1316\/","title":{"rendered":"Rotterdam high school soccer rivals share drive for greatness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont sophomore Mason Panarese and LaSalle sophomore Dexter Laflin battle for the ball on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont junior Luke Viscusi plays the ball during a game against LaSalle on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont sophomore Joel Kushner and LaSalle senior Will Nittinger battle for the ball on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"LaSalle<\/p>\n

LaSalle keeper Aiden Ahern makes a save in front of Schalmont senior Connor Byrnes on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont junior Max Monthie plays the ball in a crowd during a game against LaSalle on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Guilderland<\/p>\n

Guilderland sophomore Mikella Battaglino and Schalmont junior Selena Cassano go for the ball on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Guilderland<\/p>\n

Guilderland senior Kiley Burke and Schalmont junior Selena Cassano go for the ball on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont junior Selena Cassano scores on an indirect kick against Guilderland on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont senior Aubree Marano and teammate Selena Cassano celebrate a score on an indirect kick against Guilderland on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont coach Maurizio Cassano during a game against Guilderland on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont senior Aubree Marano plays the ball in front of Guilderland junior Gigi Santaniello on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont keeper Skyler Blackwell plays the ball during a game against Guilderland on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont junior Gianna Amoroso saves a goal after the ball got by keeper Skyler Blackwell during a game against Guilderland on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen eighth grader Maggie Mullin plays the ball in front of Cohoes senior Kiley McMahon on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen sophomore Ella Mullin plays the ball during a game against Cohoes on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Vanessa Palleschi plays the ball in front of Cohoes freshman Eliana Reyes on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen sophomore Ella Mullin winds up a shot in front of Cohoes junior Sophia Santoro on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen eighth grader Brianna DeFillipo and plays the ball in front of Cohoes sophomore Mia Snyder on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen Eighth grader Maggie Mullin, left, and sophomore Ella Mullin during a game against Cohoes on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen eighth grader Maggie Mullin winds up a shot during a game against Cohoes on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Jacob Bachorik plays the ball in front of Albany Academy sophomore Noah Potoski on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Albany, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen sophomore Calvin Tarasovich winds up a shot in front of Albany Academy junior Ignacio Gorospe on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Albany, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Raheem Shaw and Albany Academy sophomore Reid Leone-Levine on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Albany, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Shea Moore takes a shot in front of Albany Academy sophomore Noah Potoski on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Albany, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Shea Moore winds up a shot in front of Albany Academy sophomore Noah Potoski on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Albany, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Jalwaj-Soubai Soufiane and Albany Academy sophomore Alex Strianese go for the ball on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Albany, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Cohoes<\/p>\n

Cohoes senior Nick Halloran and Mohonasen senior Jacob Bachorik race to the ball on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Nick Corsaro gets a head on the ball during a game against Cohoes on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Cohoes<\/p>\n

Cohoes sophomore Edwin Olivares and Mohonasen senior Jacob Bachorik race to the ball on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Angel Perez plays the ball in front of Cohoes defender Edwin Olivares on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Cohoes<\/p>\n

Cohoes junior com Figueroa and Mohonasen senior Jacob Bachorik battle for the ball on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Nick Corsaro scores a goal against Cohoes on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen keeper Hudson Frulla makes a save in front of Cohoes sophomore Ben Hotaling on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union<\/p>\n

ROTTERDAM \u2014 For quite some time, Rotterdam\u2019s two high schools,\u00a0Mohonasen and Schalmont, have mirrored each other\u2019s success, driven by a soccer rivalry rooted in shared history and intense competition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This season is no different, with three of the four programs from the schools earning first- and second-seeds in the Section 2 playoffs, and the fourth winning a league title.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe push each other to stay excellent,\u201d said\u00a0Schalmont head coach Vito Urbano, a Schalmont graduate who also coached the Mohonasen girls\u2019 soccer team for five seasons from 2012 to 2017. \u201cSchalmont was historically the stronger team, motivating Mohonasen to step up its game, and now it works both ways.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Expectations remain high for the four squads heading into the Section 2 quarterfinals. The\u00a0Schalmont boys (11-4-1) earned the No. 2 seed in Class A and face Albany Academy on Friday, while the top-seeded Schalmont girls (13-2) host Ichabod Crane on Saturday. The Mohonasen boys (12-3-1), seeded fifth in Class AA, will visit Niskayuna on Friday and the top-seeded Mohonasen girls (15-0) enter Friday\u2019s home game against South Glens Falls with a strong winning streak.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont junior Luke Viscusi and LaSalle senior Eli Rodriquez battle for the ball on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union<\/p>\n

Both programs credit their sustained success to the same foundation\u2014Rotterdam United Soccer Club, the town\u2019s recreational and travel soccer program that has nurtured generations of athletes for both schools. From kindergarten to high school, kids grow up in the same system that emphasizes relentless energy, high standards and what players affectionately call \u201chustle ball.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s just the work ethic our coaches have for their teams,\u201d said\u00a0Mohonasen boys\u2019 senior goalkeeper Hudson Frulla. \u201cThey push us hard and we just play with a lot of heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

That philosophy has fostered a culture of consistency.\u00a0Schalmont\u2019s boys are the defending Class A regional and sectional champions and have won five league titles and three sectional championships since 2010. Mohonasen, once chasing its crosstown rival\u2019s legacy, has now secured back-to-back league titles and is aiming for its first sectional crown since 2011.<\/p>\n

\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen sophomore Ella Mullin plays the ball during a game against Cohoes on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union<\/p>\n

The girls’ teams are also consistently at the top.\u00a0Schalmont, the defending Section 2 Class A champion, has claimed five sectional titles and two state championships since 2011, while Mohonasen, this year’s Colonial Council champion, is aiming for its first Section 2 title since 2019.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s an easy formula,\u201d\u00a0Urbano said. \u201cOnce you get the kids playing young, over time they keep playing \u2014 and that\u2019s how you get strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s a single type of night that defines Rotterdam soccer, it\u2019s when one of the\u00a0Schalmont\u2013Mohonasen rivalry games takes place.\u00a0Every September, people from the town flood into the stands as the two schools face off, often under the lights. It\u2019s a game that each team marks on its schedule at the start of every season and serves as a benchmark for both programs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the most fun we have all year,\u201d said\u00a0Schalmont boys\u2019 senior Connor Byrnes. \u201cYou always want to win that game. You\u2019re fighting as hard as you can, and the stands are packed on both sides. It\u2019s intense, but that\u2019s what makes it special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen senior Nick Corsaro is congratulated after scoring a goal against Cohoes on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union<\/p>\n

Most of the players know each other well, having grown up as teammates at Rotterdam United before taking different paths in high school. But many still play for the same club teams in the offseason.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ve been playing together since we were 5,\u201d said Schalmont boys\u2019 junior Santiago Vega. \u201cRec, travel, school\u00a0\u2014 it\u2019s just constant. We push each other and keep raising the bar.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

That familiarity adds both fuel and fire to the rivalry. The winner earns an important Colonial Council win and nearly a year\u2019s worth of bragging rights.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we lose, we have to hear about it for the next eight or 10 months,\u201d said Schalmont boys\u2019 senior Joseph DeLucia. \u201cEvery club practice, they remind us. That\u2019s their go-to insult.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all in good fun,\u201d said\u00a0Frulla. \u201cEveryone wants to win that game.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont senior Aubree Marano watches teammate Selena Cassano score on an indirect kick against Guiilderland on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union<\/p>\n

This fall,\u00a0Mohonasen swept the rivalry, with the boys winning 1-0 behind a standout effort from Frulla in goal and a score from Nick Corsaro. The Mohonasen girls won their rivalry game in an overtime thriller on a game-winning shot from young sensation Maggie Mullin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The rivalry game may last only 80 minutes, but its impact stretches across seasons and even coaches can\u2019t escape the emotions that come with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can throw the records out the window,\u201d\u00a0Urbano said. \u201cIt\u2019s more of a mental game than anything else. They\u2019re playing against some of their best friends and that makes it our toughest game every year.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Mohonasen coach Greg Herzog, in his first year leading the team, said his players\u2019 familiarity with Schalmont gives the rivalry an extra edge and keeps both programs sharp. He’s been impressed with his players’ work ethic and credits Rotterdam\u2019s blue-collar spirit for his team\u2019s discipline and endurance.<\/p>\n

\"Schalmont<\/p>\n

Schalmont senior Connor Byrnes plays the ball in front of LaSalle senior Will Nittinger on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, they wanted that [rivalry] win,\u201d said\u00a0Herzog, who previously coached at Voorheesville. \u201cBut it can\u2019t distract from doing your job on the field. I try not to make it bigger than it already is, but, for them, it means everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m so proud of them. They all have a passion to play and work really hard. It comes from their families, the club, the schools \u2014 everybody\u2019s pushing them to be their best. I really haven\u2019t seen anything like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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While\u00a0Mohonasen aims for a strong postseason run in Class AA, Schalmont is focused on redemption after losing in last year’s state final. Players embrace the expectations and pressure that come with representing a program and town rich in soccer tradition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s always pressure,\u201d\u00a0Vega said. \u201cBut that just motivates us to improve and get better as a team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPressure is a privilege,\u201d\u00a0DeLucia added. \u201cIf there\u2019s no pressure, you have nothing to play for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Mohonasen<\/p>\n

Mohonasen head coach Greg Herzog during a game against Cohoes on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Rotterdam, NY. (Jim Franco\/Times Union)<\/p>\n

Jim Franco\/Times Union<\/p>\n

The town\u2019s soccer community already dreams of a perfect ending: four champions from one Rotterdam. Despite the rivalry, players from both schools admit they\u2019d be happy if everyone wins titles.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019d be ecstatic if they became champions,\u201d\u00a0Byrnes said. \u201cI mean, I want to see those guys succeed and I\u2019m hoping they can do it this year. It\u2019d be great to have both sides of the town win.\u201d<\/p>\n

For now, the rivalry keeps them motivated, with both sides shaped by the same fields, coaches and unwavering love of the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s what this rivalry really is. It\u2019s competitive, but it\u2019s fun,\u201d\u00a0Herzog said. \u201cAt the end of the day, we walk through the line, we shake hands and you\u2019re going to see them at the grocery store.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Schalmont sophomore Mason Panarese and LaSalle sophomore Dexter Laflin battle for the ball on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2025,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1317,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1394,1393,585,136,41,584,366],"class_list":{"0":"post-1316","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-rotterdam","8":"tag-hs-soccer-boys","9":"tag-hs-soccer-girls","10":"tag-latestnews","11":"tag-local","12":"tag-rotterdam","13":"tag-skco","14":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1316\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}