By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Barely two minutes elapsed in Thursday’s Section V Class AA Boys’ Soccer semi-final, and the Hilton Cadets found themselves facing a deficit.
The student section chanted: “We’re not scared! We’re not scared! We’re not scared!”
Cody Cavuoto and the Cadets rewarded the faith of their classmates.
Cavuoto’s goal with 3:55 remaining in regulation proved to be the game winner as second-seeded Hilton clinched a spot in Tuesday’s championship game with a 2-1 victory over rival No. 3 Penfield.
“That was unreal,” the senior midfielder said. “I was just speechless after that. We had a great team effort today. I couldn’t be prouder of our team any more than I am today.”
Cavuoto elevated along the far post and nodded in a service from teammate Anthony Inglese.
“I knew right from the kick something special was going to come out of it. It was just a great feeling, a great moment. There’s no better feeling than that.”
76’ GOAL Cody Cavuoto converts on the set piece. @HiltonSoccer 2-1 pic.twitter.com/B7DR65Ql2V
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 29, 2021
Inglese struck a free kick from 25 yards out along the right wing. As the ball floated across the pitch, Cavuoto situated himself at the far post, leapt and headed it into the goal. It was Cavuoto’s team-leading 21st marker of the season.
“As the ball was going through the air, it just happened to come right down. I knew right when I split the defenders that it was on my head. All I could do was put it in the side of the net.”
It was Inglese who put Hilton in position to win the game when he connected on the equalizer from just outside the 18-yard box.
“He’s outstanding,” Cavuoto said of his teammate. “His composure in the midfield is unreal. His goal was amazing. His ability to distribute is unbelievable.”
25’ GOAL Anthony Inglese levels the match for @HiltonSoccer pic.twitter.com/q6XVMfY0p6
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 29, 2021
Penfield (No. 10 NYSSWA Class AA) grabbed the early lead when Shane McMillan converted on a corner kick with 38:08 remaining in the first half.
It was the third time this season that Hilton (No. 8 NYSSWA Class AA) trailed its divisional rival.
“We’ve done it before. When we were down one-zero, I knew it was just unfortunate. We came back, put two in the net and ended the game.”
2’ GOAL Back-to-back corner kicks. Shane McMillan cashes in on the second. @PHSVarSoccer 1-nil pic.twitter.com/l84GQairGp
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 28, 2021
Inglese scored his second goal of the season with 14:44 left in the first half setting the stage for his teammate.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the boys,” Cavuoto said. “Proud of everybody. Great team effort.”
The two teams played to a draw on September 18th. Hilton took the rematch on October 8th.
Penfield (12-3-1) played both of those games without McMillan who was sidelined with a foot injury. The team’s leading scorer a year ago when the Patriots claimed the sectional title, McMillan missed eight games due to injury this season.
Hilton will face fourth-seeded Fairport in Tuesday’s championship. The Red Raiders defeated No. 1 seed McQuaid earlier in the night.
Hilton split the a pair of regular season contests with the Red Raiders. Fairport took a 2-nil decision in the first meeting. Hilton avenged that outcome with a 4-1 win.
A 7:30 p.m. kickoff is scheduled at Eastridge High School.
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