Providence Academy defeats Southwest Christian for Class 1A girls soccer state title

Friday’s soccer state tournament nightcap featured an unstoppable force (Providence Academy junior Maddyn Greenway, 42 goals) facing an immovable object (Southwest Christian senior goaltender Saraphina Bettin with her 19-0-1 record and a paltry eight goals allowed) on the turf for the Class 1A state title game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Score one for individual excellence, though not from the more household name you might expect. Freshman Blake Hudson scored on a Greenway assist in the 64th minute, elevating her program to its first state title. Hudson’s eighth goal scored this fall brought a 1-0 final score and became an instant historical moment in Lions program annals.

“It’s just so exciting,” Hudson said.

Lions coach Paul Cronin lauded Hudson’s technical skills and improved physicality.

For her part, Greenway can now add to her own list of impressive accomplishments: three basketball state titles, an individual track and field title in hurdles and now soccer.

“I’m so glad she is a part of our school,” Hudson said. “A lot of what their defense was doing left me open and Maddyn got me the ball.”

Stars senior Maya Johnson praised her team’s ability to limit Greenway’s scoring opportunities.

“Both teams had a chance to win, and I have to give credit for our back line for playing as well as they did,” Johnson said.