Lady Hornets complete soccer season
Holly Ratcliff
The Hudson Lady Hornets Soccer Team completed their season with an outstanding playoff game against Gatesville on Thursday, March 24. Though they lost, the skill and teamwork demonstrated on the field spoke of their hard work and passion for the game.
“My favorite part of the season has to be the games, the rush and the feel of just having the ball at my feet,” senior Chyanne West said. “Also, seeing all the girls progress in this sport was such a beautiful experience to watch.”
High school sports demonstrate an extreme level of camaraderie unlike almost anything else, and the soccer girls had the privilege of experiencing this bond.
“These girls this year have made me love the game more than I ever had,” West said. “Through all the laughs and hard moments we went through, I wouldn't want to share it with anyone else. They truly made this experience worth while to me.”
Every team does not start that close though; they get to that point by pushing themselves past endurance.
“My team has grown so much in less than 365 days,” senior Adriana Smotherman said. “There were never any disputes, on or off the field. The best thing you can experience is having 11 playing as 1.”
The team changes every year, and West reflected, “Soccer has made me realize that people come and go. Throughout these four years, I have always had a different team, but I can't say I had a favorite. They all wanted the same goal; they all wanted it as much as I did.”
For each incoming freshmen, the start of season is invigorating; for each graduating senior, the end of season is bittersweet. For those in the middle, it is the job of incorporating the new ones even though you miss those who graduate.
“I love teaching and helping the girls with things they may be struggling with,” junior goalie Kaylyn Collins said. “I'm looking forward to being a leader as a senior and I know the girls will look up to us because I know I did with every senior since I was a freshman.”
Every team needs their fearless leader, and Coach Lillard has certainly left a wonderful impact on his players.
“To my coach,” West said. “He is one of a kind, and he will never be forgotten. He will always be my second dad and someone who always pushed me to work even harder when times got tough, and for that, he is my inspiration.”
The practice to practice, game to game influence of a coach is a unique influence. The best coaches teach about life and love of the game.
“Soccer has changed me in many ways, mainly my coach has taught me more than just the sport,” West said. “He taught me leadership, how to be a leader on and off the field, How to always push harder even when you are tired, and how to work with 11 girls on one field.”
The lessons continue, learning “friendship, determination, hard work, leadership, and having faith through every single game.”
These lessons are not taught through bookwork, though.
“My favorite part of the season would have to be hearing coach say "On the line", which symbolized we were about to run until our feet fell off,” Smotherman said. “I hate running, with a passion. Although every time I thought, ‘I can't do this anymore,’ the only thing that kept me running was the love of playing soccer.”
This love of playing soccer brought the Lady Hornets through an exceptional season and will carry them into next year.
“Soccer has made my experience in high school really fun!” Collins said. “I had such an awesome year with these girls, and I definitely cannot wait until next year!”
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
