HILTON, N.Y. — When the dust settled after Friday’s games in Class AA of Section V boys’ soccer, second-seeded McQuaid and third-seeded Fairport had been relegated to spectators.
Top-seeded Hilton came out Saturday night intent on making sure they weren’t added to the list of upset victims.
“That definitely gave us a little fire,” Hilton senior Tom Callery said after Hilton’s 2-0 win over Webster Thomas. “Knowing they were the top dogs and they got knocked off, the same thing could happen to us. We could be knocked off too.”
The Cadets wasted little time asserting themselves.
Callery’s free kick from 40 yards away in the 10th minute found teammate Justin Arilotta’s forehead, and Hilton grabbed the lead and never looked back.
“We just came out the way we usually do,” Callery said. “We were looking to win this game and move forward.”
Nineteen minutes later, Callery connected from nearly the identical spot on the field. Hilton led 2-nil.
“The boys were just chomping at the bit to play someone,” Hilton head coach Mike Ellicott said referring to the eight days between games for the Cadets. “I was happy with the way they came out. The first half was a good half. They controlled the ball well. We controlled the ball in the second half, but we just weren’t clicking in the final third which is not like us.”
Hilton limited Thomas to few chances.
“During this point in time, a whole new season starts,” Arilotta said. “Whatever team comes to play then they win. You saw that when Fairport lost. Everybody thought they were going to go far and all of sudden Rush upsets them at their place. It’s just anybody’s game at this point.”
Arilotta’s marker was his team-leading 10th of the season and set the tone for the rest of the night.
10’ Justin Arilotta is on the finishing end of a Tom Callery free kick. @HiltonCadets 1-0 pic.twitter.com/zXcSPZNIxt
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 20, 2018
“I knew Tom was going to hit it near post so when he crossed I just made a run,” Arilotta explained. “It found my head and I just tried to redirect it into the goal.”
“Honestly, I just crossed it in and was hoping for the best,” Callery said with a smile. “Justin always sees the ball well and runs right to it.”
With the win, the Cadets finish the season undefeated (9-0-1) at LeBeau Field.
29’ Tom Callery has found his sweet spot. @HiltonCadets 2-0 pic.twitter.com/lAiRxuPl5o
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 20, 2018
“It’s a good feeling to win on our home field, the last game of the year,” Arilotta said. “Couldn’t feel better.”
Ranked No. 5 NYSSWA, the Cadets (13-2-2) ended the regular season winless in their last three games.
“We’ve not played for eight days,” Ellicott noted. “I know everybody has their bumps and their knocks, but we’ve had so many viruses on the team. It was good to give the boys a couple days off.”
Hilton will play No. 4 seed Edison Tech in Thursday’s Class AA semifinal.
“Edison is going to be an incredible game,” Ellicott stated. “They are such a fun team to watch. They’ve got some flair. We were really, really impressed with the way they attack. This is an unknown entity.”
The Inventors (13-2-2) bring with them a 10-game winning streak into the semifinals. Edison has not lost since September 17th. They rallied from a goal down to beat Webster Schroeder Friday night.
“They’re good,” Arilotta said. “They’re pretty fast up top.”
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