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CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON — The annual fall conversion to platinum blonde hair is a month off into the distance for the Maple Hill boys' soccer team, a tradition that began in 1998 with the program's first state title team.

Last fall, the Wildcats made the program's 10th journey to a state Final Four with their dyed hair and dropped a 1-0 verdict to Alexander Hamilton in the Class C state championship game at Middletown High School. Monday afternoon, the 2022 squad showed it has the potential to make another deep playoff push.

"I have been lucky to go on those rides before. Some schools never get that chance," said Maple Hill coach Dan Gillespie, who started coaching the varsity team in 1974 and is the all-time Section II leader in coaching victories. "I am lucky."

Maple Hill unleashed its own form of "Morse Code' upon Hudson Monday as freshman striker Kaeden Morse scored three goals and sophomore striker Avery Morse added two goals in helping lead the Wildcats to an 8-0 victory over the Bluehawks in Patroon Conference play.

"We lost a few really good seniors. I think we have gained some good players back and have a really good chance to go far this season I think," said senior midfielder and captain Gavin Haller. 

"I just think we have great chemistry on this team. We play better when we're moving the ball around," Kaeden Morse said. 

The ball moved well for the Wildcats, whether it was the starting unit or when Gillespie utilized his bench. Maple Hill (3-0, 3-0) opened up a 3-0 advantage through one half of play as Kaeden Morse followed the opening goal from his older brother with his third and fourth goals of the season.

"He doesn't get rattled," Gillespie said of Kaeden Morse. "The ball bounced and he chipped it to himself a couple of times and got on them."

Avery Morse scored his second goal with 37:05 remaining when he converted a feed from his brother.

"Avery has great balance with his shot," Gillespie said.

"Both Morse brothers are doing phenomenal jobs for us," Haller said. "This is a great group of guys we have."

Kaeden Morse followed his third goal when knocked home a pass from Jay Fitzsimmons, who scored the game's sixth goal five minutes later.

Haller, who rifled home a goal top shelf right with 19:09 left, is part of a veteran contingent in the midfield that includes senior captain Dillon Halvax, junior Ethan Miller and Fitzsimmons.

"Gavin is spark plug and is very strong," Gillespie said.

Hamilton Davids, who scored a goal in Maple Hill's 8-0 win against Germantown, turned and ripped home a blast from distance to close out the scoring Monday against the Bluehawks. The win is the team's third straight via shutout as the Wildcats opened their 2022 season with a 3-0 decision over Coxsackie-Athens.

The defense is an all-senior group featuring goalie Luke Hoffman and defenders Frank Thomas, Kyle Coyle, Brody Rogers and Joshua Da Costa Gomez.

The next challenge comes Friday when the Wildcats host Greenville (1-2, 1-1). Last year, the Spartans won the Section II Class B title and beat Maple Hill twice — including a 5-0 home win.

"I am excited for it. It is on our home field for the first time in four years," Haller said.

"It is going to be a tough game, but I think we can pull through," Morse said. "We have a lot to maintain from last year's did. If we keep working the way we are together, I think we can reach that level again."

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.