Hudson Win Sectional Final Over Hortonville
This was one of the most, if not the most entertaining game I’ve filmed all season. Hudson were back in the sectional final after defeating Eau Claire Memorial for the third time this season by a score of 1-0. Goalkeeper Parker Struemke made a clutch penalty kick save late in that game to hold onto the lead. Hortonville on the other hand, had to go through DC Everest—beating them 2-1 featuring a goal and assist from last week’s Best X11 of the Week nominee Cade Mansfield.
Hudson came out the gates scoring the first two goals. Their first came from a breakaway on net which was finished off by junior forward Pau Ribelles in the 20th minute. Then, shortly into the second half, midfielder Will Cook whipped in a low-driven cross from a short corner which found Sam Olson’s head to up the lead to 2-0. Just six minutes later, Hortonville found their way back into the match. A corner kick from midfielder Jacob Plutz found the leaping Cade Mansfield who put it just past the diving Hudson keeper. Chances arose from both teams throughout the rest of the match, but in the final moments Hortonville tied it up. Another goal from Mansfield sent the Polar Bear faithful into a frenzy as the game went into extra time.
Two extra time periods were unable to determine a winner, so the game went into a penalty kick shootout. Hortonville were first to kick; and Mansfield promptly slotted his kick into the bottom left corner. Defender Quinn Packard was first up for Hudson, and he too scored his PK. Noah Rindt was up next for Hortonville, and he placed his kick to the right of the keeper who saved the shot. Will Cook then buried his kick to give the Raiders control in the shootout. Plutz then stepped up to the spot and hit his kick, tying the shootout. Hudson forward Calvin Lessard was up next for Hudson; His shot toward the bottom corner was saved by Decker, keeping the score level at 2. Roman Glad and Sam Olson both capitalized in the next round, sending the shootout into a sudden death. Next up was Hortonville captain Wesley Barker. He took the spot and aimed at his bottom left corner. Hudson’s goalkeeper Struemke picked the right way to dive and made an incredible stop to give Hudson the sectional final win.
Hudson have been placed as the #3 seed for the state tournament and will face Marquette University High School in the semifinal on Thursday, November 6th, at 1:00pm.
Pau Ribelles (#11) open the scoring by finishing a breakaway 20 minutes into the match.
Hortonville goalkeeper Grant Decker (#40) makes a crucial save on a dangerous 1v1 opportunity.
Midfielder Sam Olson (#21) finishes a whipped cross from Will Cook (#11) to double the lead in the 45th minute.
Centerback Cade Mansfield (#6) finishes a corner kick from Jacob Plutz (#16) to give Hortonville a goal in the 51st minute.
Mansfield (#6) ties the game with just two minutes left with the assist from James Baker (#24).
Ribelles (#24) slots home his penalty kick to give Hudson a victory in the shootout.
