Article and photo by Warren Kozireski
It was 30-plus years in the making, but the No. 2 seed Hilton field hockey team not only advanced to the Section V finals for the first time in program history, but they also came away with a 3-0 shutout over top-seed Penfield to win the Class A title.
“We came into it knowing we had already made history by making it to the finals, so we really had nothing to lose, and literally since day one in preseason we have been working towards this brick,” senior Ryleigh Lent said.
Hilton lost in the Section V semi-finals seven times prior to this season, including last year to Penfield, and were winless this season head-to-head against the Patriots with an overtime loss and a tie.
The Cadets, who outscored their opponents this season 52-22, opened the scoring at 12:25 of the first quarter as senior Ryleigh Lent fed sophomore sister Raegan Lent.
“It’s very stressful when it’s 0-0 right at the beginning and waiting to see who will get there first,” Raegan Lent said. “You’re really relieved, but then you can’t let up after the first goal.”
In the second quarter, Ryleigh Lent converted a penalty shot at 5:02 for a 2-0 lead.
“It’s a stroke, a one-on-one shooting opportunity with the goalie (and) honestly I took so many in warmups, and I missed every single one, but once it got in the game, I was there, picked my place and scored into the bottom right corner,” Ryleigh Lent said.
“It was a very clutch part of the game because we were only up by one (goal) at that point.”
Penfield threatened several times in the third quarter, but senior goalkeeper Nora Mikolajko made three pad saves to secure the lead.
“I knew I could save them and clear it out, and I knew I had it,” second-year starter Mikolajko said.
Freshman Avery Anne put the game out of reach with a rebound goal at 5:37 of the fourth quarter, while the defense of seniors Hailey Connolly and Meena Butani, with freshman Avery Carusone, helped Mikolajko secure the shutout.
“It feels like it’s been a long time coming and the stars aligned for us this year,” 11-year head coach Annelise Day said. “It’s been the most talented group of girls that I’ve coached…chemistry on this team has been incredible, and it just goes to show in the results that they can put out on the field.
“Honestly, I was a little more nervous at the semis, and then I felt like the pressure was off because we didn’t have anything to lose at that point. We had gotten to the finals, and that was enough at that point, and I think that they felt that too and were able to go out there and play and have fun tonight because the pressure was off.
“It’s been a joy to coach them and very proud.”
The Cadets advance to the state tournament and will play the winner of the Section VI final featuring Williamsville North and Orchard Park.
