Knights win first sectional title since 1994
By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Pittsford Sutherland girls’ soccer donned team hoodies for the 2026 season that read “Make History.”
On Saturday afternoon at Webster Schroeder High School, the top-seeded Knights (15-1-3) followed through on that motto.
Kate Brett provided all the offense needed, and the Sutherland defense turned in another peerless performance in a 1-0 win over No. 3 Honeoye Falls-Lima (9-7-2).
The championship is the first for the program since 1994.
“I am just beyond proud of this group of girls,” said Sutherland head coach Adam Palumbo. “It has been admirable to watch.
“We’ve heard 1994 and especially for the last 16 years. We have created this environment, especially a lot of these seniors, who’ve been here for six years, where our expectations are extremely high every year. These girls were able to overcome the adversity and the pressure every single year.”
Brett scored in the match’s 18th minute.
“We’ve been trying to do this because last year and a couple years before our defense has been awesome, but we haven’t been able to score,” Brett said.
Catherine Kissell initiated the play with a corner kick from the right flag. Lucy Bush made the original attempt on the sequence with a head ball that was turned away by HFL keeper, Holly Smith.
Brett was there for the rebound.
“Coach always just tells us that, like, get a foot on it, get anything on it that you can,” Brett said. “I did, and then, yeah.”
Sutherland finished with a 5-0 advantage in shots on target and a subsequent amount of possession to accomplish that difference.
“We knew we had to be patient with the ball and try to break their lines,” Palumbo said. They (HFL) condensed it. It was difficult at times to break the line, so we had to get the ball wide. It was a pleasure watching them stay cool, calm and collected.”
Sutherland’s defense turned in its fourth straight shutout and third clean sheet of sectionals. The Knights have outscored opponents in the postseason by a combined total of 10-0.
“I can’t be more proud of the team in general, but in looking at the back four, they’ve been consistent throughout the whole year,” Palumbo said. “They take pride in keeping shutouts. They might not have the stats and the statistics, but they love to hold shutouts. We have great seniors, leadership in the back. They work extremely hard for each other, and they take pride in the shutouts.”
Sutherland will face the Sectjon VI champion either Lewiston-Porter or Starpoint in the Class A sub-regional. That game is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th.
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