They meet twice every regular season but haven’t faced each other in the playoffs since 2015. Fairport and Hilton square-off Tuesday night with the Section V Class AA crown on the line. Here’s what you need to know:
No. 2 seed HILTON CADETS (16-1-1/Monroe County Division I) vs. No. 4 seed FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (13-2-0/Monroe County Division I)
How they got here: Hilton (No. 8 NYSSWA Class AA) opened with a 4-0 win over No. 7 seed Rush-Henrietta and defeated reigning champion Penfield in the semi-finals. Fairport (No. 16 NYSSWA Class AA) defeated No. 5 seed Wilson/Monroe/EC, 7-0 before toppling top-seeded McQuaid in overtime.
Total goals scored: Hilton (70), Fairport (50)
Total goals allowed: Hilton (19), Fairport (17)
Last time they met: The two teams split a pair of regular-season meetings with Fairport handing Hilton its only shutout of the season on September 24th, 2-0. Hilton avenged that loss with a 4-1 victory on October 12th.
VIEW MORE CHRISTOPHER CECERE PHOTOS HERE.
Trends: Hilton has won 10 straight games and outscored its opponents, 41-7 in that span. Fairport has won 10 of its last 11 games with the only setback during that stretch coming to the Cadets.
Players to Watch for Hilton: Cody Cavuoto Sr. MF 21 goals, 10 assists; Ben Cronk Jr. GK 38 saves, nine goals allowed, 690 minutes in goal; Luca Dodge Jr. MF/D three goals; Finn French five goals, two assists; Anthony Inglese two goals, eight assists; Logan Matthews So. A four goals, three assists; Alec Smith Sr. MF 15 goals, 14 assists; Jonathan Resnick Sr. MF eight goals, seven assists.
Fairport: Noah Buys Sr. D two assists; Marco Ferri Sr. MF five goals, eight assists; Garrett Kucera Sr. MF seven goals, seven assists; Jonathan Mussumeci Sr. A two goals, five assists; Myles Palmer Jr. A 24 goals, seven assists; Jordan Robinson Jr. A four goals; Nate Russo Jr. GK 45 saves, 14 goals allowed, 997 minutes in goal; Daniel van Aardt So. MF two goals, two assists.
Coaches: Mike Ellicott (Hilton), Bill Teasdale (Fairport)
History 101: Hilton is seeking its third sectional since 2015 and fourth in program history. Fairport is seeking its fifth title in the past nine years and first under Teasdale. The Fairport Boys’ soccer program has won 10 sectional titles. Hilton and Fairport haven’t met in the post-season since 2015 when the Cadets edged the Red Raiders 1-0 in the Class AA final. Fairport is one of 14 Section V Boys’ programs with 10 or more titles. Red Creek leads the way with 23. Pittsford-Mendon has 21 and Penfield, 20.
What they’re saying
Ellicott: “During my seven seasons as the Hilton head coach, no team has provided me more challenge than Fairport. Every year they have been there challenging the status quo of the league. They are the perennial power house that is the standard most other teams compare themselves to. They have had a huge amount of success in sectional play and have many titles to show for it. The keys for the game include: 1. Which team will execute their game plan best. Both teams can be extremely attacking minded. Whichever team clicks attacking-wise will force the other team into parts of the field they don’t want to go. 2. The midfield battle will be intriguing. Both teams have very talented midfields. Creative artisans and hard-nosed enforcers can be found on both teams. Both midfields have role guys who, if they fluff their lines could really be the downfall of the team. Likewise, if they fulfill their role perfectly they will decide the destination of the sectional title. 3. Positive fast start. Both teams started poorly in their semi-final games. It’s hard to come from behind again and again. Start well and set the tone for the night.”
Teasdale: “We are going to have to play a complete game to win against a strong opponent. Cody Cavuoto and Alec Smith are two talented players among many others. It is going to be a great game.”
A 7:30 p.m. kickoff is scheduled at Eastridge High School.
Leave a Reply