The Hudson Explorers are headed back to the state semifinals, and they still have not lost a match all season. Hudson blanked Highland 4-0 on Saturday, November 7, in the Division II, Region 7 final, according to the Akron Beacon Journal’s regional final roundup, completing a perfect 20-0 run through the regional tournament.
The win was Hudson’s second shutout of the Hornets this fall. The Explorers also beat Highland 8-0 on October 7 during the regular season, the Beacon Journal reported, and Saturday’s rematch followed the same script — a Hudson side that controlled the match from the start and never let the Hornets back into it.
Highland’s season ends at 13-6-1. The Hornets were just two seasons removed from a state final appearance of their own, and they had reached the regional final as one of the Akron area’s most consistent programs, but they ran into the top-seeded team in the region on the wrong afternoon.
For Hudson, the trip to the final four continues a run of deep November soccer in the program. The Explorers reached the state championship game last season, and this year’s unbeaten squad has now matched that standard with two matches to spare, outlasting every opponent on its tournament path without conceding the regional final.
Waiting in the semifinal is Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy, which beat Anderson 2-1 in overtime in its own regional final on Saturday. The Bulldogs are bound for the state tournament for the first time since their back-to-back state championships in 2007 and 2008, according to Cincinnati.com’s regional final coverage, and they will be meeting Hudson in the Division II semifinal.
The semifinal is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, at Big Walnut High School, the Beacon Journal reported. The winner advances to the Division II state championship match later in the week.
A state final berth would cap one of the finest seasons in program history for the Explorers, who carry their perfect record into the biggest match of the year. Win or lose on Tuesday, Hudson has already delivered a regional championship — its 4-0 statement against Highland made sure of that.
Photo: K.M. Klemencic, CC BY