First-half goals carry Penfield to third straight win

By PAUL GOTHAM

HILTON, N.Y. — Less than four weeks ago, Penfield squandered a lead late in a 1-all draw with Hilton.

The Patriots made sure to avoid a repeat of that performance on Saturday afternoon.

Sophia Puccia and Mia Matic netted first-half goals while Penfield’s defense registered a shutout in a 2-nil win over the host Cadets.

“These kids are working hard and learning how to play together more and more,” said first-year head coach Paul Cialone. “We’ve introduced a lot of new things. The kids are buying in and doing a great job of it.”

Puccia started the scoring with her team-leading sixth goal in the 10th minute. Olivia Wittman assisted on the play. Mia Matic doubled the lead with 8:07 remaining before halftime when she found the back of the net off a Lyla Schenck cross from the right wing.

32’ Gem of a goal. Mia Matic takes advantage of a second-chance off a corner to give Penfield a 2-nil lead. ⁦@secvgirlssoccer⁩ pic.twitter.com/QpL7IvdaQU

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 4, 2025

“That was a great team effort,” Cialone said.

CeCe Crane made five saves for the shutout. Only one of those stops, though, came over the final 40 minutes.

Schenck and Macy McFarland anchored the back line that limited Hilton’s scoring chances in the second half.

“They see things before it happens, so they’re acting instead of reacting,” Cialone said of his defense. “They’re reading the game which is what we’re trying to teach them to do. It’s a big ask, but it’s a great thing to learn because it helps you to continue to develop as a player.”

The clean sheet was the third straight for Penfield (6-3-1) which has won four of its last six games.

“It feels good,” said Schenck. “We’ve been working really hard. It’s definitely a team effort. We’re really connected and play together, so we can stop them as a team.”

Hilton’s Ava Kruger connected on an equalizer with :09 seconds remaining when the two teams met on September 11th.  

“Hilton had a great comeback last time,” Cialone said. “That was a turning point for us.”

Penfield travels to Webster Schroeder for a Monroe County Division I matchup on Tuesday.

Hilton (3-6-1) hosts Victor on Tuesday. That game is slated for a 7:15 p.m. start.