By Dave Erickson

The Hastings Boys Lacrosse team has had to play three games a week the last couple of weeks this year due to schools cancelling their programs and a lack of referees. A lot of this coming because of complete cancellation of the season due to COVID two seasons ago.

People forget that Lacrosse is a full contact sport that players get beat with sticks, and full out body checks for 48 minutes a game. Not to mention it is continuous, and a full speed game played on a field that is roughly football field sized. This is not an easy sport to play and the relative newness in the US compared to other sports, draws players in to try it for a season, many of whom return to their other spring sport or take the spring off for other activities.

The Raiders are battling not only tiredness, but they have also obtained a number of injuries to key personnel throughout this stretch of games. Senior Colin Duerkop has been battling a deep thigh bruise that took him out of a game and has kept him out of practice. Juniors Wyatt Vieth and Kody Niederkorn could both use some time off for injuries. And there has been a constant flow to Sara Wasvick for treatment. But the Raiders have played through them and played well.

Hastings won the Spring Lake Park/ Coon Rapids game on May 4, 119, but lost some key players during the game. Duerkop went down in the first, and Ben Zaccardi left the game in the second. Those injuries gave Niederkorn an opportunity to step up his scoring and he did.

Niederkorn hung six on the Red Cats and showed just how good with the stick he is, Zaccardi had three before having to leave the contest. Luke Chorlton continued his multi assist game streak. While big brother John Chorlton again controlled the center of the field with his long stick or short stick whichever stick Coach Brady Wasvick had him playing. John continued the physical play that Owen Glade started against Hill, by dumping a couple of guys on their way to the net and a big hit at midfield that sent the Red Cats a message that the Raiders were ready and going to play. The defense led by Brady Nickel again played well keeping the shots from the outside and not allowing anyone to close to goalkeeper Jackson Sweeney for any easy ones.

Nickels is playing a lot like John Chorlton his freshman year from the close defenseman position. his ability to pick the ball up on a dead sprint and leg the ball up the field is a great asset for the Raiders and really sets him apart from other Close Defensemen. And his long, tall frame neutralizes the usually smaller quicker attack men he goes up against. The Friday game against Mahtomedi he had what many people have said was the best game he has ever played.

The game on May 6, In Mahtomedi did not go as planned. The Raiders dropped their second of the season to the Zephyrs 49 giving up one on an empty net pressing to get the ball back at the end of the game. The Raiders went down fighting to the horn, never giving up but feeling the effects of the six games in twelve days was just too much to overcome.

The Zephyrs started the scoring on a power play goal on a power play that never should have been. A call for offsides was made but there should have been no penalty. The Zephyrs capitalized on it and never gave up the lead from there. The Raiders did make a game of it but in the end the Raiders were just a little worn down.

Luke Chorlton led the Raiders in scoring with two goals while big brother John and Duerkop each adding one. Ben Clemens and Zaccardi both got assist as did Luke Chorlton. The Raiders will have a few days off to heal up and let this loss simmer some, a loss the Raiders would love to have a chance to avenge.

Hastings then travelled to Rosemount to take on the Irish on May 12, and the mounting injuries were just too much to overcome for the Raiders. They fell 134. Hopefully the 12 days of the schedule with only one game does the team some good and lets them heal up for the final run to state.

The Raiders next game is May 18 against the Cadets of St. Thomas Academy and then May 20 against Cretin Derham Hall, both at Todd Field and both 7:00 p.m. starts. Get out to cheer on the Raiders blue and gold at home, then make sure to take the trek to Woodbury against the Royals on May 24, also at 7:00 p.m. The final regular season game is May 25 at Rochester Mayo at 7:30 p.m.