Might 2025 be the year of ultimate success for the Hilldale boys’ soccer team?
For a program that wasn’t in existence until 2011, Hilldale soccer has really grown, especially in the last seven years under coach Conner Schwab.
“I think the program has really taken off since COVID,” said Schwab. “From winning our first tournament, to our first district title, to playing in our first playoff game all the way to three trips to the state semifinals and to the finals two years ago. The number of All-State kids and those that have gone on to play in college has also increased almost every year.”
The Hornets return a pretty solid nucleus from last year’s semifinal team.
“We’ve got 14 seniors this year plus a good group of younger players who would probably be starters on most other teams, so we’ll have the best depth we’ve ever had. Some of the returning players include striker Hayden Pickering who has averaged over 25 goals a season and with another good year could break the 100-career goal mark. Also returning are team captain Brody Haraway, goalkeeper Cameron Stout, last year’s team MVP, and sophomore Grant Brust who did a great job at center back last year as a freshman which is a big responsibility.”
To get the Hornets ready for a brutal Class 4A run, Schwab has put together a tough schedule that includes preseason matches in February against Owasso, Bartlesville, Union and Broken Arrow among others. The non-district part of the schedule includes Stillwater, Oklahoma City Southeast, Booker T. Washington, the rivalry game with Fort Gibson and a return spring break trip to Tennessee. The district schedule will have a new look this year with only Stilwell and McLain remaining joined by Wagoner, Victory Christian, Sallisaw, Poteau and Cascia Hall.
“Our secret to success has been a player-led culture that drives this program and if we don’t maintain that culture, we won’t be successful no matter how talent we have,” said Schwab.
With strong senior talent and leadership, this could be the year for another first for the Hornet boys’ soccer team-a first ever state championship.
