Dudukovich went on to add two more goals in the Firebirds' 8-1 win Sept. 10 to push her total to 61 goals in just 28 games. The Ohio State University commit is glad to put the record behind her to keep focusing on her team. The defending Division I state champion Firebirds (5-0, 2-0 Greater Miami Conference) now prepare for a GMC showdown against Mason (5-1-1, 2-0-1 GMC) on Thursday in a game that could go a long way to deciding the conference champion.
“It wasn’t something I was focused on at the time,” Dudukovich said. “I knew I was one away so it was possible, but I’ve been so focused on my team, I wasn’t really thinking about it. It’s amazing. It’s a huge honor to be in the books for my school, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches. I’m happy to get it out of the way.”
West coach Brigit Reder isn’t surprised by anything Dudukovich does but noted the significance of her record coming in less than two seasons. Dudukovich didn’t join the team at West until last year because of conflicts with club soccer, and she tallied 50 goals and added nine assists in 23 games as a junior on her way to GMC and Ohio player of the year honors.
Azeez set the record during a four-year career during the 2007 through 2010 seasons.
Reder looks forward to watching Dudukovich “blow that record out of the water” with 10 more games on the schedule.
“From a physical standpoint, her build, her stature obviously gives her strength that maybe others don’t have, but aside from just a natural ability, the effort she puts in outside of a competitive match is something people don’t see and appreciate and value enough,” Reder said. “She came off injury this spring, busted her butt to get back to where she is now and even before that, she just has that competitive mindset. She wants the next level for herself.”
Dudukovich fractured her foot Feb. 29 in the last game of the West basketball season when she was fouled and landed awkwardly in a tournament loss to Springboro. She underwent surgery and was on crutches for a month and then wearing a boot for another two months before she was able to start working back to normalcy.
All the while, it was uncertain whether she would get a chance to play a final season at West. Spring sports were canceled because of COVID-19, and the state was slow to approve competition for fall contact sports. Dudukovich said she and her teammates worked all along as though the season would happen and now they want to make the most of the opportunity to defend their GMC and state titles.
“It was a long process just getting back (physically) and then with all the COVID stuff, but it helped me grow as a person because I’ve never had a serious injury before,” Dudukovich said. “I feel I’m getting stronger now, and I’m starting to feel more like myself.”
The Firebirds set out to try to repeat last year’s success the day after they capped their 22-0-2 season with the Division I state title, and Dudukovich again will be a big part of that effort. The program graduated 10 seniors but still returned several starters, including all-GMC first-team picks like Syndey Jones and Brooke Brockman.
Reder said the team has a “new identity” now, especially with the midfield having some holes to fill from 2019, but senior Savannah Grubbs solidifies the group as a fourth-year varsity player and junior Gracie West has stepped up after coming off the bench last year. Freshmen Nicki Klosterman and Natalie Krummen also are newcomers to watch this season.
West is ranked No. 1 in the Ohio State Soccer Coaches Association Division I poll and 29th nationally, according to MaxPreps.com. Mason will be a good local test, Reder said, after the Firebirds cleared their first big hurdle at New Albany earlier this season. Mount Notre Dame, ranked 32nd by MaxPreps, is up next on Saturday.
“That (game against Mason) usually determines a lot in terms of who maybe pulls out a GMC title, so it’s an important game and it also solidifies where we are in the Cincinnati area,” Reder said. “It’s a big game for figuring out where we are and putting us in another competitive environment to pick out areas we need to improve upon. With the talent returning and people we have flowing in, we do have a high expectation of competing for a title in the GMC and making a very deep run in the tournament, and this week will be a good test for us.”
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