By TIM IRVING
“As a midfielder, he just has the tenacity to make the cheekiest of little touches and it makes magic happen.”
Hilton boys soccer coach Mike Ellicott speaking in glowing terms of senior Alec Smith after a pair of assists led the Cadets to a 2-1 victory over Penfield Friday night.
The victory for the Cadets (11-1-1) sets up a meeting with Fairport at LeBeau Field Tuesday night for the Monroe County Division I title.
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With just over six minutes to play in the first half, Ian Fediuk came into the game to give Logan Matthews a rest on right wing. The ball was played in front of the goal and Smith made a heel flick to Fediuk for his second goal of the season.
“I turned, it went off my heel and I saw my buddy Ian standing there and I said ‘shoot that ball’ and it went in, “ Smith said.
The 1-0 lead looked to be in danger for the beginning of the second half as the Patriots attacked. Cristiano Mounnarat had several set pieces and Hilton’s big players had opportunities.
Off one of them at the 16:17 mark, Gibson Spector made a run up the left wing and found Paul Rolland in front for a one-timer and the tying goal.
“In the whole grand scheme of the game, they were the better team in my opinion,” Ellicott said, qualifying it by adding, “We took more chances than them and we adapted.”
Seven and half minutes later, Cody Cavuoto came up with the ball in the midfield and touched it to Smith who immediately spotted a run to his left by John Resnick and sent the senior on a breakaway and the game-winner.
“John made a fantastic run and all credit to him, he ran in and scored a great goal, put us in front and we just took over the momentum from there, “ Smith said.
The Patriots pushed the issue late but weren’t able to get another past Ben Cronk in the nets for the Cadets.
“We had a tough season last year, getting bounced in the first round and the chemistry this year is impeccable. Everyone loves each other, “ said Smith.
“We’re gonna see teams in the playoffs that will adapt to the way we play and we’re going to have to adapt to the way they’ve adapted and it becomes a real tactical battle,” Ellicott said of the way his team is playing in the late stages of the season.
Hilton plays at Mendon on Columbus Day before hosting the Red Raiders on Tuesday and finishing the regular season Thursday against Webster Thomas.
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