On Tuesday, April 25th, the Raiders hosted the Simley Spartans at Todd Field for their first Metro East Conference game of the 2023 season. The Raiders got off to a very quick start, it took just 12 seconds for senior Captain, Kody Niederkorn to put the ball in the back of the net, with an assist from junior Captain, Ryan Clemens. A few minutes later junior defensemen Brady Nickel scored a spectacular behind the back goal from behind the net while being pushed into the crease. The video of this goal ended up going viral in the lacrosse world on social media. Then freshman Tony Melecio was able to score his first goal of the night giving the Raiders a 3-0 lead.

The Spartans started to battle back, scoring two unanswered goals. That run was put to an end by a quick stick goal from Melecio on the crease, with an assist from Niederkorn. Then the Spartans had a bit of luck on their side as one trickled past senior goaltender Jacob Urbach after he got a piece of it. 

The Raiders had a stellar second quarter on both sides of the field. On the offensive side they were definitely sharing the wealth, they had five different goal scorers on their six goals. Those goal scorers were junior Wyatt Vieth, Niederkorn for two, Melecio, Clemens and senior Captain Carter Simpson with his first goal of the year. Then on the defensive side Urbach stood tall not letting in a single goal.

The Raiders were able to put two in the back of the net in the third quarter, including a goal from Vieth, with an assist from Clemens and a goal from Niederkorn, with an assist from Nickel. Once again Urbach was able to keep the Spartans off the scoreboard throughout the whole third quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Raiders and Spartans both went back and forth with the Spartans scoring two more goals. Then Veith and Nickel were able to tally up a combined three goals for the Raiders. Making it a 15-5 win over the conference opponents, upgrading their record to 2-2 on the season through the first four games.

There also needs to be a shout out to the Raiders JV team who were able to beat the JV Spartans 15-3, also bringing their record to 2-2 on the year.

The next chance to catch the Raiders in action will be Thursday May 4th at Todd Field against New Prague at 7:00 p.m., Friday May 5th at Todd Field against Mahtomedi at 7:00 p.m., then Monday May 8th at Todd Field against Chaska at 7:00 p.m.