By PAUL GOTHAM
Justin Arilotta and Joshua Ranke connected on first-half goals, and the Hilton Cadets held on to beat league rival Victor, 2-1 in Section V Class AA quarter-final action on LeBeau Field, Friday night.
The triumph was the third in as many tries this season for the second-seeded Cadets over their Monroe County Division I rival.
“That was our biggest concern,” Hilton coach Mike Ellicott said of the task of having to beat a team for the third time in a season. “I told multiple people this year our division is so connected. You look at the results in the division. There are not many games where somebody beats another team by more than a goal. There are not many games where somebody scores more than two goals in a game. It’s like a Premier League situation where chances are minimum. When they come you got take advantage of them.”
Joshua Ranke started the scoring in the 15th minute. Evan Pirnie’s corner kick from the right flag squirted through the six-yard box, and Ranke was on far post for the conversion.
Three minutes later, Justin Arilotta took advantage when Pirnie’s cross from the left side was not fielded cleanly.
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“The second goal was just a good piece of individual play from Evan doing what he’s done all season and that’s get the end line, get his head up and send it back post and hope for the best,” Ellicott explained. “The goalie spilled it, and Justin was there cleaning up the leftovers.”
But the Cadets could not maintain the momentum.
“We got into a good spot the first 20 minutes. The turning point in the game for me was when we scored our second goal. We just relaxed. I was like ‘oh no, no, no.’ You have to go in with that killer instinct, go for that third goal and try and finish it off.”
The Blue Devils were able to shift the game to their offensive end in the latter stages of the first half with a series of set pieces – a free kick from 30 yards away in the final three minutes created a loose ball inside the Hilton 18-yard box.
Victor finally capitalized in the 56th minute.
Connor Crane made a rush along the right wing and found Jordan Bailey opposite for the redirect.
“They did a great job,” Ellicott said of the Blue Devils. “They came with a purpose. They studied up on us. They know exactly how we play, and we know exactly how they play.”
In all three head-to-head meetings this season, Hilton edged Victor by one goal.
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“They’re exciting games, but they’re not good for the heart,” Ellicott said with a smile. “We are at a point where we all know each other, and it’s awfully hard to get a win. Everyone knows each other’s moves and knows the counter move.”
Hilton will match up with another divisional rival when they face Rush-Henrietta in the Class AA semi-final.
A 7:30 p.m. kickoff is scheduled at Spencerport High School next Thursday.
*Article updated to include correct result of the Rush-Henrietta vs. Fairport contest.
Please recheck your scores before publishing. RH won over Fairport 4-3 in pks.