Athlete Spotlight: Macy Hudzik
Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications
SALEM, Mass.- This week our athlete spotlight features women's senior soccer player Macy Hudzik from Dracut, Mass. Hudzik and the Vikings are set to begin the MASCAC playoffs with a quarterfinal game tomorrow afternoon against Fitchburg State at Alumni Field.
Hudzik expressed what it means to her to be playing a first-round game on Halloween at home. "Us playing on Halloween especially hosting just shows that our hard work paid off. This was our top goal this season, and now that we've achieved that, our next goal is to make it to the semifinals."
Salem State is looking for redemption in this year quarterfinal against Fitchburg. The Falcons ended the Vikings season, 5-0 in last year's playoff. "This game for sure is going to be a good one. Knowing we lost to them in this position last year is really pushing us to be our best on Tuesday and to come out on top. The only thing that's different this year is that we are the ones hosting, which gives us that extra boost of confidence and motivation to get our work done Tuesday."
The Biology major talked about her time as a Viking. "The past four years as a Viking has been such a journey. I've grown and learned so much from my coaches, teammates, and even myself. It's been a long, but great ride, and I honestly don't want it to end."
She started playing soccer when she four years old and spoke about how anyone on he team can change the course of a game. "Making an impact isn't just scoring goals. It can be blocking shots, our keeper making incredible saves, and plays that keep us in possession. As a team when we start feeding off each other's energy like that we can be unstoppable."
A game that stood out to her during the course of the season was on "Senior Night" when the Vikings played against Keene State. "The most important game to me this season was our senior game against Keene State. They scored first, but as a team we weren't going [to] lose without a fight. We got a goal back early in the second half and we were able to tie the game 1-1. It was a great game for the team to come together and realize what we are capable of. Same thing with Framingham State. We played a full 90 minutes as a team and showed just how good we were and we were going to be a tough team to beat in conference play. That really set the tone for the rest of the season."
Hudzik spoke about her off-season routine. "In the off-season we started to do team led practices consisting of fitness, ball control and a lot of small sided. On days we don't have that I go to the gym and really work on my cardio." Her go-to meal is a bagel with cream cheese.
Her parents are who she admires the most. "My parents are the people I admire the most. They've worked hard every day of their lives and have given my sisters and me a great life with so many opportunities. My way of thanking them is to work hard for them every day and always do everything 100%."
Hudzik doesn't have a specific player that she would love to meet, but she expressed that she would love to meet anyone from the Boston Burins.
She expressed some of the things that we don't know about her. "I am the middle child of three girls so I have an older sister and a younger sister. My favorite meal is for sure chicken and fries. I love lake days with my family, and I prefer Starbucks over Dunkin."
The Dracut native talked about how much she has grown as a player and as an athlete during her four years as a Viking. "As a player I've become smarter, fitter, and more solid than I've ever been. As a person I'm definitely more mature, passionate, and really work hard for what I want in life."
Hudzik relayed what she learned from her freshman year to now. "As a freshman I learned that work rate and dedication is so important. When you step onto that field you are there to play soccer and be the best version of yourself. I've carried that with me throughout the seasons."
She expressed what her coach and her teammates mean to her. "Coach Wood has really helped me not only grow as a player, but as a person. I've known her for a very long time and my first season here I knew I made the right decision because she's so devoted to this school and the team. She's been my family away from home and I couldn't thank her enough for this opportunity. My teammates mean the world to me. They've made this journey so fun and fulfilling. I feel like they are also my family away from home. These girls are my sisters, and I couldn't be more grateful."
Hudzik and the Vikings are set to begin the conference playoffs with a MASCAC quarterfinal game tomorrow afternoon against Fitchburg State at Alumni Field. Game time is at 2:00 p.m.