Article and Photos by Chuck McGill
In a closely-matched, hard-fought game that saw five lead changes and two players sent to the hospital, Hudson bested previously undefeated Becker by a score of 12-11 last Wednesday at River Crest Elementary in Hudson.
Becker came into the game with a record of 9 wins and 0 losses overall (Hudson was 4 and 4), first in the west conference (Hudson was third in the east), and second in the league overall in the coaches poll (Hudson was fifth). Living up to their reputation, Becker jumped off to a 2-point lead. Hudson Senior McKay Potter fed a pass to Junior Adam Lipps for Hudson’s first goal and a score of 1-2. Potter scored to tie the game at 2-2, and Sophomore Will Reece netted a goal to pull ahead 3-2. Becker scored twice more to end the first quarter leading 3-4.
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Becker scored first in the second quarter to pull ahead 3-5. Hudson Junior Joey Hernandez scored to stay within 1 at 4-5. Becker put the ball in the net, but the referee threw a flag on a stick violation. After a long examination of the stick and conference between referees, the flag was picked up, the goal counted, and Becker led 4-6. A Becker player was checked while charging the goal and went down injured. He was taken to the hospital with a reported broken collarbone. There was no flag on the play. Potter then scored to stay within 1 at the end of the half at 5-6.
To start the second half, Potter ripped in an outside shot for his third goal to tie the game at 6-6. Lipps scored to pull ahead 7-6. Becker finished the third quarter with two goals for another lead change to go up 7-8.
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Becker started the fourth quarter with a goal to pull ahead by two at 7-9. Hudson Sophomore Stephen Tripicchio scored off a pass from Sophomore Trevor Quade to pull within one, 8-9. Senior Drew Fleming scored to tie at 9-9. Quade scored to pull ahead 10-9. Becker scored to tie it up at 10-10. Junior Henrik Wiesemeyer fed a pass to Hernandez to pull ahead 11-10. Sophomore Rusty Selliris charged hard to score a goal, but went down with a reported broken ankle and was taken to the hospital. There was no flag on the play. Hudson led 12-10. Becker scored one goal late to pull within one at 12-11. A time-out was called with a few seconds left. Then a flag was thrown with one second left. Becker tried to shoot, but time expired. Hudson won 12-11.
It was the last home game of the season and senior recognition night. The seniors also gave gifts to their parents - a rose for each mom and a Dad's Root Beer for the dads.
Despite the dramatic win, Hudson may not be in the playoffs for the first time in Hudson’s four-year varsity history. The top two teams in each of the three conferences go to the playoffs, and Hudson is third in the East conference. Two more berths are awarded to at-large teams. Hudson’s record and the victory over Becker mean it is a very legitimate contender, but a play-off berth is not guaranteed. Hudson plays Stillwater next Tuesday, so they have a chance to improve their conference record, but will probably not break into the top two. The playoffs start the first week of June, so the playoff bracket will not be available till then.
