Hudson soccer kicks off new season 
Holly Ratcliff
The Hudson Hornet soccer teams get ready to kick off their season with new team members, a busy game schedule, and a competitive district.
Hudson girls will vie with Center, Diboll, Jasper, and Palestine for the district title, while the boys will compete against these teams as will as Elkhart.
“I'm looking forward to improving from last year and hopefully becoming district champs for the first time in Hudson soccer history,” senior varsity player Tito Zameron said.
Senior varsity player Riley Thorton has team ambitions stretching further than that though, because “making it to playoffs and getting as far as we can” is also on the list of goals.
And what inspires such confidence and motivation within the teams? According to some of the girls it is the team itself.
“My favorite part of the season is actually getting to know the team, because, of course, we get a new team every year: seniors leave and freshmen come up,” senior varsity player Amanda Rodriguez said. “I just like to get to know the girls… see how well we work together and just see how the season goes.”
Senior varsity player Cheyenne West said that “getting to know the other teams and their limits” was also one of the best parts of the season.
Learning the strengths and weaknesses of every team, especially their own, as well as having a little fun, seem to be a couple of the key strategies of soccer.
“My favorite part of playing soccer is making sweet passes, nice plays, and scoring goals,” Zameron said. “Also I enjoy growing closer to my team and helping them with different skills.”
Goals and close team members are absolutely necessary, but no team would be complete without their fearless coach.
“Honestly Coach Meisel has been the biggest influence on our team,” Thorton said.
Coach Meisel is the boys’ soccer coach, and Coach Lillard is the girls’ coach.
“Not only is Coach Lillard a good coach providing great drills that make us better players, he truly cares about each and everyone,” varsity player Kristen Ferrara, junior, said.
These coaches go above and beyond for their teams and in the end, it pays off with great seasons and lots of fun for everyone involved.
“I hope with all of the great coaching that we can really work together as a team to win games!” Ferrara said.
Hopefully everyone will get a chance to watch the soccer teams advance further than ever before and have a fantastic season.
“Hope we have a good year,” West said. “Go hornets!”
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