Girls Soccer: Pirates sweep week, improve to 9-1

By Siri Olsen 

The Hudson Pirates opened their sixth week of the season with matchups against Dike New Hartford and Aplington-Parkersburg, facing each team for the second time this year.  Hudson traveled to New Hartford on Tuesday, April 28, to take on the Wolverines. The  Pirates previously defeated DNH 2-0 at home earlier in the season.  

The match started evenly before Hudson broke through early when junior Taylor Davis  found the back of the net. The momentum shifted in the Pirates’ favor, and shortly after,  freshman Cailin Stickfort added another goal to give Hudson a 2-0 lead at halftime.  

Dike-New Hartford came out aggressive in the second half, but Hudson responded with  another scoring opportunity. Senior Avery Ubben capitalized on a cross into the box to extend  the lead to 3-0.  

The Wolverines got on the board after a handball in the box resulted in a penalty kick, making it  3-1. Minutes later, Hudson earned a penalty kick of its own after a handball by DNH. Senior Gia  Baldiviezo converted to push the lead to 4-1.  

Hudson held the Wolverines the rest of the way to secure the win and improve to 8-1.  The Pirates returned home Thursday, April 30, for one of their biggest matches of the  season against Class 1A No. 10 Aplington-Parkersburg.  

The Falcons struck first, controlling possession early and scoring about seven minutes  into the match to take a 1-0 lead. Hudson responded with several strong scoring opportunities  but was unable to convert until late in the first half.  

A foul in the box gave the Pirates a penalty kick opportunity, and Baldiviezo delivered,  tying the match 1-1 at halftime.  

The second half was physical, with both teams battling for control. Another foul in the  box gave Hudson a second penalty kick, and Baldiviezo again converted to give the Pirates a  2-1 lead.  

Hudson shifted into a defensive mindset for the remainder of the match and held off the  Falcons to secure the 2-1 victory, improving to 9-1 on the season.  

The Pirates will travel to Denver tomorrow, May 8, to face the Class 1A No. 3 Cyclones  in another key matchup.