Reigning flag football Class C champion Hen Hud has officially been dethroned.
This time last year, the Sailors were cruising through the competition en route to the first Section 1 title in program history. This season, however, their postseason voyage ended early.
On Saturday, May 16, the No. 2-seeded Sailors hosted No. 7 Byram Hills in a Class C sectional quarterfinal matchup. The teams had split their two regular-season meetings, with Hen Hud claiming a 25-19 win on April 20 before falling 38-32 on May 2.
The rubber match belonged to the Bobcats.
Powered by two first-half rushing touchdowns from freshman Amelia Amenado, Byram Hills defeated Hen Hud 14-6 to advance to the semifinals. The Sailors were able to get on the scoreboard with 47 seconds remaining, but their inability to generate scoring opportunities throughout the game proved costly.
Christina Barry completed 17 of 33 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown, while Nicole Facciolo went 6-for-15 for 46 yards. Barry added 23 rushing yards, while Facciolo rushed for 10 and Maria Ribeiro added 11.
Through the air, Kate Stratton led the way with 11 receptions for 60 yards. Jonna Rivera hauled in six catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, Ribeiro added five receptions for 38 yards, and Rachel Budde recorded one catch for three yards.
Defensively, Marlee Picarello totaled six tackles. Ribeiro contributed four tackles, including one for loss and one sack, while Rodraya Pope recorded four tackles and two sacks. Stratton added three tackles and one pass defended, Budde had two tackles and an interception, Rivera chipped in one tackle, one interception and two passes defended, and Charlotte Gaspar finished with two tackles.
“I feel like we moved the ball really well. I think we kind of dominated play in the first half, but that girl, Amelia, made two big plays right before halftime,” Hen Hud head coach Craig Solomon said. “They made explosive plays when they had the opportunity, and while we moved the ball up and down the field, we never really threatened them.”
Reflecting on the season, Solomon pointed to inconsistency on offense as the team’s biggest obstacle.
“We were competitive in most games. Defensively, we were pretty consistent. The girls adjusted to each game plan and really locked in on that side of the ball,” he said. “But offensively, we were extremely inconsistent. At times we threw the ball really well and looked like we could move it, and other times we turned it over way too much.”
Saturday marked Solomon’s final game as an employee of the Hendrick Hudson School District. The Montrose native and Hendrick Hudson Class of 1988 graduate will retire at the end of the school year after 32 years as a physical education teacher.
The longtime educator, who was named Class C Coach of the Year last season after leading the Sailors to the regional finals, said his focus remains on the players rather than the disappointing finish.
“It’s never been about me,” Solomon said. “You feel for the seniors who have been with the program since we started it and helped establish the expectations and identity of this program. The girls gave me everything they had all season. They worked hard, they were a pleasure to coach, and they were very coachable.
“I loved being with them. I loved coaching them, and I would have loved for the seniors to have had the opportunity to defend their championship.”
Solomon named junior Maria Ribeiro as the team’s MVP.
“I thought Maria was fantastic on both sides of the ball,” he said. “She earned All-Section honors, was named Co-Defensive Player of Class C, and was a great leader.”
He also highlighted Kate Stratton, Marlee Picarello, Jonna Rivera, Rachel Budde, Arianna Byers and Charlotte Gaspar as major contributors this season.
Though retirement is imminent, Solomon said he hasn’t completely ruled out returning to coach.
“Our AD has been fantastic and told me the option is there if I want to continue coaching even after retiring from teaching,” he said. “I need to talk to my wife and figure out where I’m at.”
Even if he doesn’t return, Solomon said he believes the program is well-positioned for continued success — especially if assistant coach Dina Bertoline remains involved.
Hen Hud finishes the 2026 season with a 10-6-1 record. Byram Hills will face No. 6 Dobbs Ferry in the semifinals on Wednesday, May 20.
