Winter sports have officially begun for Hastings, with the Raider girls' hockey team opening their season with an impressive 4-1 win over Rochester Mayo, followed by a hard-fought 2-1 overtime loss to defending state champions Gentry Academy. The Raiders' schedule includes 22 regular season games, spanning from November 9 through February 1, 2025.

Season Opener: Raiders Cruise Past Rochester Mayo

On November 9, the Raiders made the trip south to the Rochester Graham Arena Complex for a matinee matchup against the Mayo Spartans. Hastings came out of the gate strong, with Addie Seleski scoring the first goal of the season at 5:44 of the first period. Seleski was assisted by Clare Rieder and Sophie Thorkelson.
Seleski was on a mission in the opening period, completing a natural hat trick. Her second goal, unassisted, came at 13:18, and her third goal, assisted by Haley Siebenaler, followed at 14:51. Raider goalie Victoria Steinke was solid in net, stopping all eight shots she faced in the first period to give Hastings a 3-0 lead heading into the locker room.
The second period was uneventful on the scoresheet, with both teams combining for just 11 shots — six for Hastings and five for Mayo. A minor penalty for each team was the only notable event during this period.
The Spartans finally found the back of the net at 4:21 of the third period, cutting the Raider lead to 3-1. However, Mayo's offensive efforts were short-lived. At 14:08, Rieder, assisted by Josie Hamann, scored her first varsity goal, giving the Raiders a 4-1 advantage. That would be the final score, as the Raiders closed out the win.
In terms of offense, Hastings dominated the shot count, recording 30 shots on goal compared to Mayo’s 18. Seleski led the way with three points (three goals), while Rieder added two points (a goal and an assist). Thorkelson and Siebenaler each had one assist.
Defensively, the Raiders limited Mayo to just 18 shots. Steinke was stellar, saving 17 of 18 shots for a .944 save percentage.

Raiders Take State Champions to Overtime

On November 11, the Raiders faced a much tougher challenge, hosting the 2023 state champion Gentry Academy Stars in front of a nearly packed home crowd. The Raiders’ fans were loud and supportive, helping keep the game scoreless through the first two periods.
Gentry Academy, a private school known for its strong hockey program, typically boasts bigger, faster, and stronger players than many of their opponents. Despite this, the Raiders matched the Stars’ intensity throughout the game. After the first period, Hastings outshot Gentry 9-4, and the second period was similarly strong, with the Raiders leading in shots 19-11.
The third period saw the Stars finally break through. At 7:15, Gentry scored on a powerful slapshot that went just under the glove of Steinke following a brief defensive breakdown by Hastings.
The Raiders quickly responded. Just 47 seconds later, Olyvia Erickson nearly broke loose on a breakaway and was tripped by a Gentry defender, earning Hastings a power play. At 7:49, just 13 seconds into the player advantage, Seleski scored her fourth goal of the season, tying the game 1-1.
Both teams exchanged chances in the final minutes of regulation, with Hastings leading in shots 27-22, but neither team could break the tie before the buzzer.
In overtime, Gentry ratcheted up the pressure, and although the Raiders had a few scoring opportunities, the Stars ultimately sealed the win. At 3:33 of the overtime period, Gentry’s Maddy Baker was able to poke a rebound past Steinke after a point-blank shot was initially stopped by the Raider goalie, giving the Stars the 2-1 victory.
Despite the loss, Hastings played an outstanding game against one of the best teams in the state. The Raiders' defense was impressive, and the younger players stepped up to contribute. Although the team came up just short, there was never a sense of doom on the bench — the Raiders fought hard and had opportunities to win. The game was a strong indication that this team will be an exciting and competitive squad throughout the season.
Steinke finished the game with 24 saves on 26 shots for a .923 save percentage, and Hastings registered 28 shots on goal.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Games and Girls’ Hockey Day

The Raiders will return to action on November 16 at home against Visitation for their annual Girls' Hockey Day. The event will feature a variety of games throughout the day, with the all-girls team picture taking place between 2:15 and 2:30 p.m. The varsity team will also be available for autographs from 12:30-1:00 p.m., and there will be a sign-making station for the varsity game throughout the morning. The varsity game is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. puck drop.
Following that, the Raiders will travel to Owatonna on November 19 for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against the Huskies, and then return home on November 22 to face St. Croix Valley at 6:30 p.m.
With a strong start to the season, the Raiders are looking poised to challenge the state’s top teams. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they continue their quest for success.

Summary of Key Stats (as of Nov. 11)
Hastings 4, Rochester Mayo 1
• Seleski: 3 goals
• Rieder: 1 goal, 1 assist
• Steinke: 17 saves on 18 shots (.944 SV%)
Hastings 1, Gentry Academy 2 (OT)
• Seleski: 1 goal
• Steinke: 24 saves on 26 shots (.923 SV%)
• Shots on Goal: Hastings 28, Gentry 22