Hudson girls soccer dominates foes to reach district final
Looking to repeat as district champions, the Hudson girls soccer squad is following a statement season with a roar.
Caleb Fortune called the 2022 campaign and the fact that the Explorers reached the Division I regional semifinals as one of the finest seasons in the past 15 years.
It’s quite possible that the four-year Hudson head coach could be echoing his own statement.
With four goals in each half, Hudson showed its strengths in all facets over visiting Boardman (10-8-1) Monday in district semifinal
The 8-0 victory vaulted Hudson (14-2-2) to the Division I district championship clash in the Region 1 Northeast 3 bracket.
It was the 10th shutout this fall for second-seeded Hudson, which advanced to play seventh seed Solon in the final.
Solon (12-5) had an upper division finish in its debut this fall in the Suburban League National Conference.
If Hudson wins the district crown over the Comets, the Explorers would advance to the Division I regional semifinals at Byers Field in Parma Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Thursday’s Northeast 1 district champion between Walsh Jesuit and Massillon Jackson.
Walsh, which beat Jackson in the regular season, was ranked 13th in Ohio’s latest poll.
Hudson also has a similar history with Solon. In a regular season league match at Solon on Oct. 11, Hudson won 4-1.
“In the playoffs, the challenge is a new type of game every three or so days and you have to adjust quickly to what is needed,” explained Fortune, of the quick turnaround and preparation.
Fortune has been elated with his team’s defense. Hudson has used junior Sam Rosenberg as the primary goalkeeper while freshman Addie Frank and senior Renna Eimer are also extremely capable.
Team captains include senior defender Ella Choi, junior defender Ellie Miele, junior striker Peyton Pierce, Eimer, and junior Delaney Halstead.
Defensively, Hudson has had so many contributions and it showed in the win over Boardman as well as in the 9-0 sectional final win over 25th seed Lyndhurst Brush.
Those defensive leaders have been Choi, Miele, sophomore Chloe Bigham, freshman Grace Petrella, junior Katie Huber, junior Natalie Muni, sophomore Siena Trainor, and senior Kaylei Smith.
Midfield play, team defense and offensive playmaking has been a huge factor for Hudson.
“We are very happy to have the number two seed overall and that has been significant in the playoffs and we are very proud of the girls’ consistency in the season that enabled that,” pointed out Fortune.
In the win over Boardman, sophomore Maya Lake exploded for six points with a hat trick. The three goals by the dangerous striker highlighted the offense, but Lake had plenty of help.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson girls soccer reaches district final after two big wins
