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Maple Hill midfielder Hamilton Davids celebrates after scoring against Ichabod Crane on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
Maple Hill midfielder Hamilton Davids lines up on a goal-scoring kick after Ichabod Crane goalkeeper Alex Sweeney, center, went down after coming out deep for a save in the second half on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
Ichabod Crane midfielder Henry Loyola, left, is met by Maple Hill defender Kyle Coyne right, as they challenge for the ball on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
Ichabod Crane forward Brandon da costa, left, is met by Maple Hill defender Brody Rogers in the attacking third on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
Ichabod Crane midfielder Henry Loyola, left, is met in the in the attacking third by Maple Hill’s Ethan Hill, center, and Kyle Coyne right, on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
Ichabod Crane goalkeeper Alex Sweeney comes out for a save as teammate Max Frering assists in the second half against Maple Hill on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
Maple Hill midfielder Hamilton Davids, left, celebrates with teammate Kaeden Morse after scoring against Ichabod Crane on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
Ichabod Crane defender Max Frering, right, slides across Maple Hill’s Jay Fitzsimmons, center, on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, during a match at Maple Hill.
Ichabod Crane defender Erick Loyola, left, heads the ball away Maple Hill striker Avery Morse, center, on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at Maple Hill.
CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON — As the play unfolded in front of him, Hamilton Davids’ bright orange cleats seemed like a homing device for a loose ball headed near him in the second half Monday afternoon. The Maple Hill senior midfielder broke in his new footwear by blistering home a shot with 35:32 remaining in the title game of the program’s annual Columbus Day Tournament.
“The team pressured it well and I just got the knock down,” Davids said.
Monday proved to be a day when the Wildcats’ dominant play at midfield and defense in front of senior goalie Luke Hoffman would not be rivaled by the Riders as Maple Hill remained undefeated with a 2-0 championship victory. Goals by sophomore striker Avery Morse and Davids, along with stellar work in front of and from Hoffman, helped the Wildcats control play throughout.
“We couldn’t seem to find our stride. Every time we thought we’d get it, Maple Hill stopped us. Maple Hill is a very tough team,” Ichabod Crane coach Lee Bates said. “We couldn’t penetrate their ’18.’ Their back line is tough,” Bates said. “They were reading us pretty well.”
The Section II seeding meeting takes place Oct. 17 and Maple Hill, a program that reached the 2021 Class C state final, is rounding into playoff form.
“I think I have definitely seen a lot of improvement throughout the period we have been playing for,” Davids said. “The team has grown so much together.”
“They are a dangerous team from the first game of the season to the last. (Maple Hill coach) Dan (Gillespie) year after year puts together a great squad,” Bates said.
The Riders (10-3 overall) had their seven-game winning streak snapped as the Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in the Class C state poll, improved to 12-0. Maple Hill registered its ninth victory via shutout and has outscored its opposition 52-3.
“There was a time when everything was kind of flat and they were pushing hard because they were behind,” Gillespie said. “They are a very physical team. Overall, it is a nice win. Ichabod is having a good season.”
The Riders entered Monday’s final coming off a 4-0 semifinal win against Cambridge/Salem. It did not take long for the Wildcats to seize command when Avery Morse took a feed from younger brother Kaeden Morse, veered hard to his left and shot back to the right for a goal that nestled inside the right post in the fourth minute.
Midway through the first half, Hoffman came off his line trying to prevent a cross and the Riders looked poised to gain an equalizer, but a shot on goal was denied by senior defender Frank Thomas. The senior captain, who backed up Hoffman on the play, punched it away from the goal crease.
The rest of the opening 40 minutes belonged to the Wildcats.
The goal by Davids followed a sequence in which the Wildcats threatened to score previously.
“He is pretty sure-footed left or right,” Gillespie said of Davids. “When we played Catskill, he buried one from way out.”
The midfield play from Maple Hill, paced in particular by Gavin Haller, Dillon Halvax and Davids, stood out.
“Last game we were definitely off,” Davids said regarding Saturday’s 2-1 come-from-behind win against Hoosic Valley. “Once we get on our feet, we are definitely a strong team that teams should be careful of. A lot of the younger guys on the team are contributing. I am impressed with their level of play.”
James Allen has covered Section II athletics since 1989. He also works as a broadcaster for local radio and television outlets. He joined the Times Union in 2006. He covers high school sports. Contact him at jallen@timesunion.com or 518-454-5062.