On Saturday, the J-D boys soccer team defeated Fowler 2-1 for their third section championship in school history. One could say the odds were against the Rams, and any betting man would agree. But J-D didn’t care for odds, defeating the top three teams in Section III on route to their first sectional championship since 2014.

With 7 minutes left in the first half, sophomore Patrick David scored the first of his two goals on a rebound off of another shot. The Rams kept their 1-0 lead for the rest of the half. Just minutes into the second half, Fowler broke through with their first and only goal of the game. Towards the very end of the second half, Fowler had several opportunities to take the lead, but was unable to score on corner kicks. The hard fought game went into overtime, as neither team could seal the deal in regulation.

After a few minutes into overtime, David stepped up as the Ram’s savior. David’s shot off the top goal post ended the game, ensuring the Rams their third sectional title. “It was amazing for me,” said David after the game.

“He was in a refugee camp a year ago,” said head coach Dan Law. “So think about that story, to go from there and come here and be able to be part of a team here. I was emotional for him. Where he came from. To see him score that goal. It’s a tremendous honor.”

Defense has been key for the J-D boys in the playoffs thus far, giving up no more than one goal in any playoff game. The Rams began their historic run against 3-seeded East Syracuse-Minoa in a 1-0 victory in the first round of the playoffs. Next, the Rams faced 2-seeded Whitesboro, winning 2-1 in overtime after junior Will Quackenbush scored his first career goal to send J-D to the sectional championship.

The Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams will play Saturday, November 9 at 11 am against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake at Colonie High School in the first round of the state playoffs.