The Hudson Lady Cobras Under-19 soccer team took full advantage, in more ways than one, of its recent trip to the Orange Classic Girls International Soccer Tournament, in Miami.
Not only did Hudson win its U-19 Green Division title, six Cobras were contacted on the spot by college coaches and recruiters.
The Orange Classic is considered one of the east coast's premier girl's club soccer events and features hundreds of teams from as far away as Canada converging to participate in one of nine age groupings.
Hudson Coach Chris Swezey said that upward of 200 - 300 college coaches were in attendance to observe the four-day showcase.
One player, Hudson High senior Lindsay Zullo, was offered a scholarship to Flagler College, in St. Augustine, Swezey said, and five other girls were contacted by other schools.
"That was one of the big reasons why we wanted to go, whether we won or lost," Swezey said about the amount of exposure his girls received. "The winning part was gravy. It was nice, don't get me wrong, but we had so many girls contacted by coaches."
The Cobras won by posting a 4-0-1 record during the 16-team Green Division tournament. There were four divisions - Millennium, Orange, Green and White - where teams were grouped with other clubs of similar size and state rank.
Hudson beat the FC Tampa Blue Lightning 2-1 in the Dec. 30 final.
Along with the championship and individual prospecting, the Cobras also reached new heights in statewide and national rankings.
No Hudson club team of any age had ever attained national recognition, but this years U-19 squad is now listed at No. 238. Only the Top 300 are noted.
The girls are now the 12th rated team in Florida and 34th in the region. This is not the team's first flirtation with success. Last year's Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup final four appearance was also a height no Hudson club team had reached prior.
Swezey is hoping these girls will set a new standard of excellence for future Hudson girls to aspire.
"It's the first time for a national ranking and winning a premier event like that.
Somebody needed to set a benchmark and I told the girls that I really hope we're not the only team from our club that makes waves on a state and national level.
It should be something where other teams can realize that yes, we do have a small budget and yes, we have to work a little harder, but we do have the athletes to compete with these upper-level clubs."
The core of the Cobras' club roster is also with Hudson High's talented squad that will be gearing up for the district playoffs later this month.
Swezey will most likely not get his team back together until early February as they gear up for another showcase event in Tampa called Score at the Shore. That tournament, held Feb. 14-16 at the Ed Radice Sports Complex in Odessa, will also feature out-of-state talent and numerous college recruiters.
Local sports brief
SEVEN SPRINGS - Dixie League West Pasco Girls fast-pitch softball teams have begun registering players ages 5-18 in anticipation for the upcoming spring season. Remaining sign-up times are 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and Jan. 20 and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Jan 10 and Jan. 17.
Those interested can register at the Ball Fields at Oak Ridge Park, 2141 Seven Springs Blvd. Fees are $75 as well as the cost of uniform. Undisclosed "family discounts" are also offered.
Local sports brief
SEVEN SPRINGS - Dixie League West Pasco Girls fast-pitch softball teams have begun registering players ages 5-18 in anticipation for the upcoming spring season. Remaining sign-up times are 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and Jan. 20 and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Jan 10 and Jan. 17.
Those interested can register at the Ball Fields at Oak Ridge Park, 2141 Seven Springs Blvd. Fees are $75 as well as the cost of uniform. Undisclosed "family discounts" are also offered.
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