Primetime 585 Spotlight Team: Hilton girls soccer
Oct 31, 2024
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Primetime 585 Spotlight Team is Hilton girls soccer. The 6th-seeded Cadets road to the sectional championship went through 3-seed Churchville-Chili and 2-seed Penfield. The Patriots are ranked number five in the state.
The Cadets are led by players such as Mallory Heise on defense, plus Mia Cialdella and Olivia Pilato on the attack. Both had goals last night in the 2-0 upset win over Penfield.
This team was knocked out in the first round of sectionals just a year ago and now they will be facing Spencerport in the sectional finals Saturday.
The first round loss didn't sit well with Pilato, who told Primetime 585 before the season that Hilton would be in the finals this year. Pilato was good with her word.
"A couple of us, it's our senior year. Last time playing together," Pilato said. "We just left it all out there. This year, we have a chance to win it if we want it that bad and I think we're on the road to do it."
Hilton is strong on defense. The Cadets have allowed only one goal in their last six games and have yet to concede in sectionals.
"We take our defense personally," senior defender Mallory Heise said. "Even if you just dribble it down, you're not getting it the next time. We will not let you get one second to breathe."
Hilton goalie Sierra Bianchi is a wall in goal and netted five saves against Penfield.
"No matter what happens, we always have each other's back," sophomore defender Haiden Lagueras said. "We're there to pick each other up after every mistake. You always hear the goalie or the outside back, 'Pick you back up!' No matter if you kick the ball right out to the other team, after each play, we pick each other up."
It's not going to be an easy game for Hilton on Saturday against Spencerport. They did play the Rangers in the regular season and it was a great game. Hilton lost only 1-0 against the reigning state champions
Congratulations to Coach Nino Pilato and the ladies of Hilton soccer on earning the Spotlight Team of the week!