If the 11th-ranked Perry soccer team wants to return to the boys Class 2A State Tournament for the third consecutive year, they are likely going to have to beat No. 5 Hudson on their own pitch.
The IHSAA released their post season pairings today, and both Perry (10-2) and Hudson (14-1) will have first-round byes in Substate 7. Ballard (4-6) faces Grinell (4-9) in Huxley on May 23, with the winner to visit Hudson May 25.
Perry will also play on the 25th and will host the winner of the match on the 23rd between CMB (2-9) and host South Tama County (5-5) at 6:30 p.m.
The Substate 7 Final will be played May 28th at 12 p.m. in Hudson. The Pirates have lost only once — a 1-0 setback to Decorah — and have outscored their foes by a combined 48-6 while shutting out nine opponents. Perry has recorded seven shutouts while outscoring their opponents 30-7. The Jays have lost to Southeast Polk (1-0) and to No. 8 DC-G (2-0).