A-K Valley athletes of the week: Riverview’s Hannah Hudack, Deer Lakes’ Collin Rodgers

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 9:47 PM

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Hannah Hudack

School: Riverview

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Hudack scored the game-winning goal with under 12 minutes left to go in No. 10 Riverview’s WPIAL Class A first-round upset win against No. 7 Waynesburg on Tuesday night.

What was your reaction to scoring the game-winning goal on Tuesday?

Our team did not want to see overtime. Before the goal, Mary Quinlan and I each had 15 shots on net. The plan was to pepper their goalkeeper with enough shots that, eventually, one would go in. I was so happy I scored that I ran over to my teammates. It was a great feeling.

Was anyone nervous that Waynesburg would score to tie the score?

We did not want them to score, so we went into a defensive mindset but Mary kept shooting because she wanted another goal. We kept trying to get her the goal to get an insurance goal in case they did score.

How did you score the goal?

Our outside defensive back Molly Morrissey passed the ball to me around the midline, and I dribbled through some traffic and I shot it over the goalie’s head and it went in.

What had been the highlight of the season before your game-winner?

Us beating Winchester Thurston. It showed we could beat tough teams like that. It was a good win that boosted our confidence.

What is it that makes the Riverview program so successful?

It’s our bond. We are all really close with each other. We don’t have any historical tension. We really like playing with each other.

Who on the team bends the ball the best?

Either Mary Quinlan or Katerina Tsambis.

Who is the fastest?

Cailey Trosch. Played her a ball one time, and I thought it was going out for sure, but she hustled down there and saved it. She also runs track, so that helps.

What were your goals for the year?

One to balance my time between cross country and soccer. I would say I’m more of a passer, so I wanted to work on my dribbling.

How did you do at WPIALs for cross country?

We were hoping to qualify for states as a team, but we came up 10 points short of qualifying. I qualified as an individual for states. I ran a 21:49.

Do you play any club soccer?

Yes, I play for Steel City FC, which starts up next week, and I’m excited for that.

How do you keep up with all the athletics?

I use my parents as my personal calendar. They really help me stay on top of things.

Participate in any clubs or other activities at school besides sports?

I am in the orchestra and am a part of the Model UN.

Who inspires you?

My teammates Lola Abraham. She also did Model UN and played soccer and had a similar busy schedule to mine. She was a stellar athlete and a stellar student.

Favorite hobby?

I love to ski in the winter, but if we’re talking an all-season activity, I would say hiking. I hate to sit still. I have to be constantly active.

Fall has arrived. What’s your favorite part about the season?

I like going to football games and socializing. Playoff season is now here, so that’s fun. I’m excited to go to states for cross country. Oh, ond Halloween, I’m being a Smurf for Halloween this year.

What was your best ever Halloween costume?

My friends and I dressed up as the Winnie the Pooh characters, and I was Piglet. I was also a Yeti one year.

Favorite candy?

I’m a big chocolate person. I like Reese’s, and Almond Joys are so good.

Collin Rodgers

School: Deer Lakes

Class: Junior

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Rodgers scored a goal and had an assist in No. 3 seeded Deer Lakes’ WPIAL first-round win over No. 14 seed Hopewell on Monday night. He followed up that performance by setting up all three of the Lancers’ goals in a victory over No. 6 North Catholic in the quarterfinals on Thursday night.

First, talk about the goal you scored and the assist you had on Monday against Hopewell.

We were up 2-0 in the second half, and Artemey Parshyn, our attacking midfielder, put a good ball in off the corner and I rose above everyone and finished in the back of the net. On the assist for our fourth goal, I took a pass on the right wing from Cuyler Crim, and I crossed it to Peyton Kushon, who settled it and set it to the back of the net.

Your coach said the team had some nerves heading into that game. Why?

Because of the result from last year. We lost to them as a three seed, and it was almost like the same scenario was going to play out. It was a different day, but sometimes you get to over thinking and start to underestimating your own abilities.

You guys didn’t show any of those signs against North Catholic on Thursday. What was the difference?

It was the fact that they were a team we had seen before. It was a team we knew we could compete with because we had beaten them twice already this season. It’s the fact it wasn’t a new team, so you knew what they would bring into the game.

Were you guys expecting the game to be as physical as it was?

I wouldn’t say they have been super physical, but they have shown some physicality. Our physicality has stepped up in the playoffs. We’re starting to attack balls in the air and are becoming a more dominant force defensively.

Does that added aggressiveness provide you guys with another style of play in the playoffs to counter in multiple ways any style your opponents may throw at you?

Having the grit, passion and intensity to win balls out of the air does tend to scare some teams. When you step up like that, the other team tends to step back and question themselves and wonder at how we’re playing.

Tell me how you set up those goals against the Trojans.

On the first goal, I was dribbling and switched the ball to my left foot, and I saw Peyton out wide. I saw there was a gap he could run through. He had a goalie in a 50-50 situation, and he just tapped it past him. On the second one, I got past their fullback, and their center back stepped up to me and I saw Cuyler Crim wide open in the middle. I made sure he took a touch because there was no one near him. Third goal, I was one-on-one with their fullback again. I drove to the byline and came back, and I put the ball on net and Cuyler finished that rebound off.

The team faces No. 2 seed Avonworth on Monday. How are you guys going to attack that game?

It should be another physically demanding game. There are some spaces in their attack that if we play quickly, we can exploit those positions.

What is the highlight of the season for you so far?

I had a goal against Shady Side at home from just outside the box. It was a curler that went in and helped us beat them 2-1 and cement our place at the top of the section.

Is there anything you do to get in the zone prior to a game?

Not really. I focus a lot. I’m not a very talkative person at school on game day.

What were your goals at the start of the year?

It was to get back to the spot we were when I was a freshman when we won the WPIAL championship. We had a lackluster year last season. Though getting back won’t be easy.

What athlete do you like to watch the most?

Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. He’ s a left winger as well. He’s going through a tough patch right now, and it’s interesting to see how he deals with that at the professional level.

What music do you like to listen to?

I like country music.

Who on the team is the toughest defender?

Zane Spence and Noah Shurina. They think they’re just as tough or tougher than the other.

Who can bend the ball the best?

Artemey Parshyn.

I know you both can fly out on the field, but who is faster: you or Cuyler Crim?

I’m going to say myself. I think I got him on any given day.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Math is my go-to subject.

Favorite meal?

I’ve been eating a lot of pasta and chicken lately. I’ve had it before both our playoff wins, and maybe it’s become a superstition in the playoffs.

Favorite hobby?

Basketball

Do you play for Deer Lakes?

Yes, I’m a point guard

What was your best Halloween costume?

I went as SpongeBob, and my friend was Patrick.

Favorite candy?

Kit-Kat

Tags: Deer Lakes, Riverview