The Guilderland boys' soccer team has been here before.
A slow start, a lineup still finding its footing, and questions about whether the Dutchmen can put it all together before time runs out.
Last year, Guilderland answered those questions emphatically. After opening the season 0-3-3, the "Cardiac Kids" survived consecutive overtime games and penalty kicks against Shaker and Shenendehowa to claim a share of the Section 2 Class AAA title. They then outlasted Elmira in double overtime to advance to the state semifinals.
This season, the Dutchmen are 2-2-2 through six games following Tuesday's 2-0 win over Ballston Spa. Senior captain Jack Wasserbach sees no reason to panic.
"I'm not worried about it at all," Wasserbach said. "We're going to get through this little rough patch just like we did last year, and I'm confident that we're going to get better as the season goes on."
Guilderland has already faced some of the top teams in the Suburban Council - or "the gauntlet," as head coach Mike Kinnally put it. Back-to-back losses to Bethlehem and Shaker were followed by draws against Niskayuna and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. After a 4-0 nonleague win over New Hartford, the Dutchmen have e...