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Eustis Ends Hudson's Season

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By RICK HARMON

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 4, 2009

HUDSON - For most of the season, Hudson has been able to overcome deficits and rally back to victory. But as the Cobras advance in the Class 4A state series, the opponents get tougher and the stakes get higher.

Tuesday in the Class 4A-Region 2 semifinals, the Cobras didn't have another comeback in them. Their season ended with a 2-1 loss to Eustis.

"I think the games certainly start to take a toll on teams," Hudson coach Christine Rizzieri said. "In these high-level games … you're just coming off a high-level game [on Thursday] and you have to step right up. It's not like the regular season where you might get a break [in games]."

Eustis (20-4-1) took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute on a goal by Tana Hardin from Ashley Stiefeld. The Panthers kept the ball in their offensive end most of the first half, holding Hudson to only three shots in the first 40 minutes.

Hudson (22-3-1) picked up its intensity at the start of the second half. Alicia Schuering sent a blast from 30 yards out in the 45th minute that Panthers goalkeeper Alyssa Sapp deflected off the crossbar. Two minutes later, Ashley Trappuzzano scored on a header off a corner kick by Michelle Lang to tie the score at 1.

Eustis scored the winning goal on a penalty kick by Alika Keene in the 61st minute. A Hudson defender was battling for the ball but fell and was called for a hand ball in the penalty box.

"It was an unlucky break," Rizzieri said. "What are you going to do? He called it. You have to play with it. All you can do is go with the call."

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