Kayden Hudson’s hot start may be traced to his hot summer in Peoria

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Kayden Hudson is off a red hot start to the soccer season.

He’s scored eight goals in the first three games of the Notre Dame soccer season.

It may be because the senior forward didn’t like the way last season ended when the Irish lost in the state championship.

“Last year we came up short,” Hudson said. “It motivated us a lot to work hard. Don’t take anything for granted. Compete every single day.”

Hudson scored 40 goals last year and has looked the part of an All-State and All-American played in the first two weeks of this season. He wants his final year of high school soccer to be a memorable one with his teammates.

“It’s a strong group, the group I came in with. These seniors, we’ve been together since I got here as a sophomore,” Hudson said. “This year we really want (a championship).”

Something that may already be helping Hudson in the early season is what he did this summer. He played with Peoria City soccer of the USL2.

The young high school player was on a college summer soccer team that played in its league’s national championship game.

“He’s a 17-year-old playing against men,” said Notre Dame head coach Mike Bare. “He was able to go out there and make plays. He’s a kid playing against men and he looked like he belonged.”

Hudson says the experience with Peoria City was invaluable this summer.

“I’m 17, there were players 25-years-old and up (playing in the league). I got out there with older guys already in college, D1 level,” said Hudson. “It was a great experience to play at a high level, high speed it definitely helped me.”

And it could help him to lead the Irish back to state. And this year finish on top.

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