Senior Autumn Edwards scored one goal and added one assist to pace Hilton to a 3-0 victory over Rush-Henrietta in the girls soccer season lid-lifter for both teams.
The Cadets jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 6:36 as junior Brooke Wilson stole the ball in the left corner and sent a cross to classmate Emma Spelman, who dribbled around one defender and found the lower right corner of the net.
After some adjustments to address the Royal Comets front line speed advantage and to the physical style of game, the Cadets used body position and dominated ball possession to break the game open in the second half.
Senior defender Olivia Strauss moved up and headed Edwards perfect, arcing corner kick into the net in the 57th minute to give the Cadets a 2-0 lead.
Six minutes later it was Edwards converting a pass from sister Sierra for a 3-0 advantage.
As to the physical style of play, Autumn Edwards said, “We’re not normally like that, but we can play physical. You just have to always know where the ball is and where to be.”
The Royal Comets threatened to break up the shutout bid with 11 minutes remaining, but Hilton goalkeeper Samantha Pelcher deflected a shot off the crossbar and grabbed the ensuing rebound. She was credited with ten saves in registering the shutout.
The Cadets 2018 season ended in the Section V semi-finals to eventual champ Webster-Schroeder.
“This was our first game, so nice to get a win under our belt,” new head coach Jim DePrez said.
“I’m brand new, having been on the boy’s side for eight years. We’re teaching the girls how to play their position; unteaching what they’ve done (in the past) and reteaching.”
