The leader of the Hornets’ swarm, Hayden Pickering played a key role in Hilldale advancing the Class 4A state championship match. After setting a school record for goals scored in a single season last year, the 2023 sophomore amped up his efforts scoring 28 goals, plus adding eight assists while Hilldale went back-to-back as district champions with an undefeated 7-0 mark en route to the Class 4A title match where Pickering scored the lone goal in the state finals encounter.

“Hayden is a winner. He is obsessed with scoring goals which is the mentality I want from a striker,” said Hilldale head coach Conner Schwab. “He’s not only grown as a player, Hayden has grown into a leader on the team. I’m glad that he’ll be back in a Hilldale uniform for two more years.”