Ranked first in the Big East for goals (8) and points (19), eleventh in the nation for points per game (2.38), ninth in goals per game (1.0)—the list goes on. It’s not terribly surprising for a member of a top 25 caliber women’s soccer team like Georgetown to enjoy that much success, but for junior forward Toni Marie Hudson, it’s a start unlike anything she could have imagined.
At the start of the fall, Hudson hoped to play at least a secondary role to her role model, fifth-year forward Sara Jordan. But when Jordan was sidelined by an injury early this season, Hudson was thrust into a leading role in the Hoya offense—a role that she has embraced.
“I feel like I play better under pressure,” she said. “Knowing that there is someone else looking up to you or looking towards you to kind of channel or guide them in their play, it’s an honor. It just makes me want to play harder and better.”
The Jamaican native spent her elementary school years running and never dreamed of playing soccer until she moved to the United States. A friend of her father’s introduced her to the game at age ten.
“I’m like ‘Soccer, what’s soccer?’” she said. “My dad was saying the same thing because in Jamaica we call it fútbol. In Jamaica, at the time, you never ever heard of a girl playing fútbol. It was like seeing pigs fly.”
Once she was introduced to the sport, Hudson learned two things: she was good at it, and she couldn’t live without it.
Hudson’s speed was always an asset on the field, but upon coming to the Hilltop, the focus of her game changed. Hudson spent more time developing her technical skills and deepening her overall understanding of the game.
“She finally understands what I expect from her when she plays,” head coach Dave Nolan said. “Frankly, when she’s on the field now, I expect her to score. I’m shocked when she doesn’t score. When she misses a chance, I’m surprised.”
Nolan’s confidence in Hudson was on full display this weekend. Down 2-1 against Penn, the Hoyas were awarded a late penalty kick. With only eight games played so far this season, the team appears to have found its go-to player for such pressure situations.
“There was no doubt in my mind [that] I knew [who] was taking the penaltykick, and there was no doubt in her mind,” Nolan said.
Hudson drilled the penalty into the net, salvaging the team’s undefeated record.
