Hudson blanks Treynor, advances to Class 1A state semifinals

By Siri Olsen 

Photo Credit: 'Shots by Dev' by Devin Baas

The Hudson girls soccer team continued its postseason run Monday with a 1-0 victory over  Treynor in the Class 1A state quarterfinals. The win improved the Pirates’ record to 18-2 and  advanced Hudson to the state semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. 

The Pirates began their 2026 postseason run in dominant fashion when they hosted Cedar Valley  Christian/Alburnett on Thursday, May 28. From the opening whistle, the Pirates played with  confidence and intensity, setting the tone early with aggressive offensive pressure and strong  possession. Their fast-paced attack quickly overwhelmed Cedar Valley Christian/Alburnett,  allowing Hudson to find the back of the net multiple times in the opening minutes. 

The Pirates continued to control the match throughout both halves, creating scoring opportunities  and displaying excellent teamwork on the field. Junior Taylor Davis led the offensive charge,  recording a hat trick and helping spark Hudson’s explosive scoring performance. One of the most  memorable moments of the game came when senior Callie Stickfort scored the first goal of her  varsity career, a special achievement that was celebrated by her teammates and the home crowd. 

Hudson’s offense continued to fire on all cylinders as the Pirates cruised to a 10-0 victory, ending  the match by mercy rule. The convincing win gave Hudson plenty of momentum as they  advanced to the substate semifinals. 

Their next postseason challenge came on Tuesday, June 2, when the Pirates traveled to face  Center Point-Urbana. Unlike the opening-round matchup, this contest proved to be a hard-fought  defensive battle. Both teams entered the game determined to keep their seasons alive, and neither  side was willing to give up easy opportunities. 

Throughout the first half, Hudson and Center Point-Urbana traded possessions and scoring  chances, but strong defensive performances from both teams kept the scoreboard empty. The  Pirates remained composed despite the scoreless tie, relying on their defense and midfield play to  stay in control of the game. 

At halftime, the score remained locked at 0-0, setting up an important second half. Hudson  emerged from the break with renewed energy and determination. The Pirates increased their  offensive pressure and began creating more dangerous opportunities in the attacking third. Their  persistence finally paid off when freshman Cailin Stickfort found an opening and buried the first  goal of the game. The score gave Hudson a 1-0 lead and provided a huge boost of confidence for  the Pirates. 

Following the goal, Hudson continued to dictate the pace of play. The Pirates maintained  possession, limited Center Point-Urbana’s chances and eventually added another goal later in the  second half. With a two-goal advantage and a strong defensive effort, Hudson closed out the  match and secured a 2-0 victory. The win punched the Pirates’ ticket to the substate final and  moved them one step closer to another trip to the state tournament.

With a state tournament berth on the line, Hudson welcomed Vinton-Shellsburg to town for the  substate championship match. The game carried extra motivation for the Pirates, as the two  teams had met earlier in the season during a scrimmage that resulted in a 1-0 victory for Vinton Shellsburg. Hudson entered the game eager for redemption and determined to protect its home  field. 

The atmosphere was electric as fans packed the sidelines to support the Pirates in one of the  biggest games of the season. Both teams battled intensely during the opening minutes, but  Hudson struck first when sophomore Tayler Junker scored a beautiful goal just 10 minutes into  the first half. The early score energized the Pirates and gave them a crucial advantage. 

The game was delayed by lightning later in the first half, and after two lightning delays the  Pirates were able to step back on the field. When the game finally returned, the Pirates picked up  right where they left off. In the second half, freshman Cailin Stickfort delivered a perfectly  placed cross into the box, where junior Taylor Davis finished the play with a goal. The score  extended Hudson’s lead to 2-0 and brought the Pirates even closer to their state tournament goal. 

As the clock continued to wind down, Hudson maintained control. The pressure applied by the  Pirates forced Vinton-Shellsburg into an own goal later in the second half, increasing Hudson’s  lead to 3-0. With every passing minute, excitement continued to build among the players,  coaches and fans. 

When the final whistle sounded, the celebration began. Hudson had defeated Vinton-Shellsburg  3-0 and officially secured a spot in the state tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The  accomplishment highlighted the consistency and success of the Pirates program, which has  continued to establish itself as one of the strongest teams in the area. 

As the No. 3 seed, Hudson opened state tournament play against Treynor on Monday, June 8, in  Ames. The Pirates once again relied on a strong defensive effort in a tightly contested  quarterfinal matchup. 

Cailin Stickfort scored the game’s lone goal less than three minutes into the match, giving  Hudson an early advantage that would hold for the remainder of the contest. The Pirates’ defense  preserved the shutout, while goalkeeper Charlee Austin recorded five saves and was named the  Kwik Star Player of the Game. 

“We played tough through the heat, and played together,” coach Ashley Smiley said. “The bench  energy was helpful, and we pulled out the win together as a unit.” 

The 1-0 victory sends Hudson into the Class 1A state semifinals against conference rival  Aplington-Parkersburg, which improved to 16-2-2 after upsetting No. 2-ranked Assumption 1-0  in the quarterfinal round. 

The Pirates defeated Aplington-Parkersburg twice during the regular season, earning victories of  3-1 and 2-1. Hudson will take its 18-2 record into Thursday’s semifinal matchup, scheduled for 12:15 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Fields on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. A  berth in the Class 1A state championship match will be on the line.