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Not so disappointing

Although Lauren Hudson wanted to play soccer at a Division I school, she's at the top of her game at Saint Leo.

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published September 17, 2006

Lauren Hudson starred at Mitchell and is making a run at being the best goalkeeper in Division II soccer while at Saint Leo. The sophomore was the Sunshine State Conference player of the week and has allowed just one goal in seven games. Times staff writer John C. Cotey spoke with her about stopping penalty kicks, her best moments and the O'Jays and Spice Girls. She tells us what she wants, what she really really wants starting right now:

So tell me, when did your soccer odyssey start?

I started playing in the fifth grade. My sister played and I watched her, so I wanted to play. I played defender, at first, for two years.

Then you moved into the nets. Why?

I watched one of the girls in there and just thought I could do a better job. Plus, it looked like fun.

Takes a different mentality to play keeper, no?

Well, I heard you have to be crazy to play keeper, and personally I am crazy. Laughs. But I don't think it's that bad.

I guess that's not surprising from a girl who was in the newspaper 10 years ago for playing in a flag football league with boys.

I've always played sports with boys. I was a tomboy as a kid. I played football with boys, baseball, basketball.

Does it toughen you up playing against boys?

It definitely helped. You learn to be a little bit fearless. You have to be willing to sacrifice your body to get the ball.

Best moment at Mitchell, give it to me.

When we won against Sickles in the region semifinal on penalty kicks. I stopped a couple of them, so that was big.

Any save that stands out, one that you always remember?

It's funny, because there was a save against Casie Poyssick, who is now my teammate (at Saint Leo). But I remember it was senior night, and Casie came up to take a penalty kick in regulation. I stopped it, and we went on to win.

And you remind her of that...?

Almost every day. And then she shows me her state championship ring.

Ouch.

Yeah.

So a state title ring trumps a dramatic game-changing save?

No, no, because she'll never forget that penalty kick.

You have been virtually untouchable in goal this year. Some games you haven't even needed to register a save. So, how much is you, and how much is it that defense in front of you?

It's all my defense. I have not had to make one really challenging save this season. I have Ginger (Davenport) on the left, she's an animal and a beast. And there's Lizzie (Seedhouse) in the center ... they have been great. It's really all of them.

So no diving saves?

A few. But nothing that was like "Oh my gosh!"

So maybe I'm talking to the wrong person?

Maybe. (Laughs.)

You're off to a good start (6-0-1), but Tampa is ranked No. 4 in the country and you play them Tuesday. Does you need a win to legitimize your start? To prove you are for real?

I think partly yes, but mostly we just really need to play well. A win would be huge for our team's confidence.

How many goals have you given up?

(Sigh.)

None? Is it seven shutouts?

We gave up one (sigh) with 12.6 seconds left against Florida Southern. It shouldn't have happened. There was a throw in, I went to get it ... and missed it. It was a crap goal. But the shutout streak was over, and that may have helped us focus more on playing well.

You were one of the top keepers in the county. Are you surprised you didn't end up out of the area at a bigger school?

The more I came here, the more it felt right. I'm not going to lie to you, I was disappointed about not going to a Division I (school), but the way it's worked out I wouldn't change a thing.

Who's the best player you've ever played against?

We played against (Land O'Lakes and current University of Florida starter) Stacy Bishop in high school, she was pretty good. Probably, it's (teammate) Jennifer O'Connor. We go against each other at practice, and when she's around I always have to be on my toes.

What's the secret to stopping penalty kicks?

I don't know. I try to freak people out, stare them in the eyes and try to guess the right way.

If you face 10 penalty kicks, what is an acceptable percentage to stop?

Well, all 10. But I would be very satisfied with half. Anything else, I'd be disappointed.

Is it hard to keep your concentration back there when the ball isn't coming your way? Or is it cool that the defense is doing all the work?

Sometimes I really do wish something would come back there. But if the defense can hold the team on the other side, that's good too.

How do you fight the boredom?

I tend to sing songs.

Out loud? In your head?

Out loud enough so I can hear it. I told you I'm weird.

What's on the CD in your head?

I could sing "Love Train" by the O'Jays. I like songs by Sugarcult, like "Memory." The Spice Girls. I'll even rap to myself, do a little (Rapper) T.I.

You've mentioned being different or weird a few times now. What else would people consider "different" about you?

Well, I tend to say what's on my mind. I paint my toenails. Right now, I've got pink toenails with purple polka dots. Sometimes, purple with pink polka dots.

That's not very tomboyish.

Oh, I definitely got out of the tomboy thing.

Any superstitions? Gameday rituals?

I tape my wrists. I wear the same underwear every game. I wear sliders. When I do my socks, it's left first and then right.

And if something works, like braiding your hair, and you have a good game, it stays, right?

Oh yeah.

Ultimately, what do hope to do at Saint Leo? When you're done, what do you want them to remember?

I think it's kind of selfish, but I really do want to be the first All-American soccer player here. And I want the team to win, and win the conference championship. Coach (Ged O'Connor) always says the great players make those around them better, so that's what I want to do.

John C. Cotey can be reached at cotey@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 17, 2006, 06:35:27]