Photos courtesy Toles Media
After stopping one step short of reaching the title game each of the past two years, the Hilldale Hornets took the next step toward the summit of high school soccer in Oklahoma by advancing to the championship finals for the first time in school history.
In just its 12th season, Hilldale boys soccer has climbed to the pinnacle of the Class 4A boys soccer pitch through a total team effort. With an attacking front line led by sophomore striker Hayden Pickering who set a single season school record with 28 goals joined by Omar Avila, Ryker Milton, Mateo Campos, Gabriel Estrada and Cord Clark the Hornets kept their opponents on their heels with shots on goal benefiting from the quick reactions of Alonso Perez, Enrique Gomez, Bryce Chartney and Brody Haraway who led the team with assists from the middle of the field.
The physical and mental strategies of defenders Kael Sargent, Easton Morgan, Boone Fletcher and Ryker Jones secured the swarming defensive efforts while Cameron Stout protected the net as goalkeeper.
Hilldale raced into the OSSAA playoffs after pitching a 7-0 record in district 4A-4 competition by allowing just three goals while hammering through 37 shots on goal for points. In the playoffs, Hilldale remained defensively strong allowing just two goals while the offense delivered seven shots between the pipes to advance to the Class 4A finale against the defending state champion, Clinton Red Tornadoes. And while an unfortunate bounce denied Hilldale of the state title in a 2-1 setback, head coach Conner Schwab credits the efforts of this year’s squad, and the play of five seniors on the pitch for their never give up efforts as the team compiled a 15-3 record this season.
“Kael, Milton and Alonso have been mainstays for these last three seasons and this year our seniors kept us focused on achieving our goals of making history by not only going back-to-back as district champions but also undefeated,” said the Hornets head coach who completed his sixth year at Hilldale. “Our sophomores gave us an extra boost allowing us to do something we’ve never done before by making the state championship match.”
With 14 skilled playmakers returning, many with the experience of playing under pressure, Schwab is eager to guide the progress of the Hornets soccer program. “It has been a process that has continued to grow in player depth and maturity as well as skill level. Through their continued hard work, this year’s team reaped the benefits of our former players’ commitment to succeed,” explained Schwab. “With the expected addition of next year’s freshmen joining our guys coming back who are battle tested, our goal will be to continue writing history, one day, one match at a time.”
