TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Saint Leo Goalie Won't Back Down

ADVERTISEMENT

By BART O'CONNELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 10, 2007

ST. LEO - The question is asked, and at first, the answer is a mere shrug and a quick glance to Coach Ged O'Connor in the background.

Lauren Hudson, Saint Leo's last line of defense, isn't afraid to reveal what she has gone through this year, even if O'Connor might be.

"It doesn't even matter anymore," she tells him, noticing that he remains apprehensive.

So what exactly is this secret the two have kept from the rest of the Division II soccer world, on the eve of the Lions' NCAA Tournament match at University Field on Sunday afternoon?

Hudson is hurting.

Shoulder and lower body injuries have plagued the former Mitchell High standout all season. The shoulder probably will require surgery when she finishes her career. Yet she is one of only three goalkeepers in the Sunshine State Conference to play every minute of her team's games - more than 1,700 in all.

Clearly, it's going to take more than a collision or fall to keep her out of the net. Maybe nothing will.

"I won't miss a game because of any injuries, let's put it that way," she said. "There's nothing that could happen to me that would make me sit out. If I have to lie to the trainer about it, that's fine.

"If anything, I've changed my game to play smarter, but I'm not backing out of challenges because that's not who I am. I will still go into a challenge with another player, and I will come out on top because I will go in 100 percent. I'm not afraid."

Perhaps the most remarkable fact in Hudson's at-times-painful odyssey is that she has no backup goalkeeper to give her a rest. Her backup last season, Lea Jones, transferred to St. Thomas in the offseason to get more playing time. Then O'Connor recruited another goalkeeper, who mysteriously backed out of her commitment.

Maybe Hudson's toughness is the worst-kept secret in D-II women's soccer.

"Lauren at 50 percent is better than most keepers at 100 percent," said O'Connor, a former goalkeeper himself. "A couple of years ago, I was worried when our keeper went down. This year, I don't have the slightest of concerns."

The Lions are the kind of team that makes opposing coaches wince when they think about playing them, well known for their aggressive and physical style. But they are also smart, O'Connor insists.

He describes Hudson as someone who can essentially quarterback the defense, and like a chess master, see the game two or three moves ahead. It prevents her from having to make the kind of flashy, desperation saves that would win her more style points with those who decide all-conference and all-region teams.

"At times it's very frustrating," O'Connor said. "It's not just about being able to dive, it's about the mental part, the organization."

About the only time Hudson was concerned for this year was when her longtime sweeper, Lizzie Seedhouse, suffered a season-ending injury early on and had to be redshirted. But Ana Davila has filled in admirably, and collectively the entire squad is the most talented in program history.

"I was just nervous, but our team has just come together," Hudson said. "We've done pretty well - not good enough yet, though."

Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT