By John Molene

Senior Alex Thompson powered in nine goals to lead visiting Hastings to a rip-roaring 17-14 season-opening boys lacrosse victory over host Park Thursday.

The Raiders started slowly and trailed 7-4 in the second quarter before Thompson and teammates started heating up. Hastings caught the host Wolfpack at 7-all with three minutes to play in the second quarter and never looked back.

A senior attacker, Thompson’s nine goals tied a career best.

“The other boys giving me room and me taking my opportunities,” said Thompson when asked what was working for him in the game.

Hastings led 9-7 at halftime and 13-9 after three quarters. Each time in the second half that Park would draw closer, the Raiders answered with a goal to keep a two- or threegoal advantage. Hastings led 14-12 with 9:13 left and then 16-13 with 4:16 to play. The Raiders went on to close out the final minutes for a satisfying road win.

Thompson and Hastings head coach Brady Wasvick both agreed that the Rader started slowly then picked up steam as the game wore on.

“I feel we’re usually a second half team anyways, all of us kind of are,” said Thompson.

It was the season opener for both teams and both had moments where they looked sharp and other moments where mistakes were obvious. Hastings coach Wasvick also railed against the officiating at times, especially during the second half.

“We felt we were put in a spot with some penalty calls, early and often, it was frustrating in that regard,” said Wasvick. “But this team, these juniors and seniors have been playing together for five, six, seven years at this point. They know each other very well. And they have a good grove with each other. And we’ve got a few freshmen contributing a lot of minutes and they welcomed them right into the fold and they seem to fit in seamlessly.”

“It was definitely a rocky start,” Wasvick continued. “We got our goals early but we felt like we weren’t clicking yet. I’ve seen this team play for their whole careers and this is an offensive scoring team. They keep the pressure on and they’re a lot of fun to watch. And even through some of the penalties … they fought through and they just kept grinding.”

Hastings plays at Hill Murray (0-0) in a Metro East conference game on Monday, April 19. The Raiders’ first home game is Thursday evening against Henry Sibley (00), starting at 7 p.m.

Hastings star attacker Alex Thompson charges to the goal against a Park defender in the first half Thursday at Cottage Grove. Photo by John Molene

Jaxon Schiller of the Raiders splits a pair of Park defenders in an attack in the second half in Hastings’ 17-14 win Thursday. Photo by John Molene