This group of seniors changed the attitude of Hastings Varsity Girls Soccer. They will be missed but their legacy will carry on.”

Coach Paul Armstrong

The week for the Hastings Raiders girl’s soccer team ended with a mixture of pride, and a reminder of how fine the margins are at this stage. On Tuesday afternoon, the Raiders travelled to face Holy Angels in the Section 3AA championship. The final score was 5 to 1 in favor of Holy Angels, but the story is richer than just the numbers.

Hastings opened the match knowing the stakes were high. Coach Paul Armstrong said afterwards, “It was a tough game, although the girls kept fighting for 80 mins, which we were all very proud of. It came down to moments again, they converted their chances, and we did not. I cannot be more proud of our effort and attitude though. We stayed positive and it led the lone goal by Olyvia Erickson.”

From the kickoff it was clear Holy Angels would press. Hastings defended hard, but early on the Angels managed to take advantage of their opportunities. Hastings’ keeper Grace Knoll and the back line held strong for stretches, but multiple conversions by Holy Angels piled up over the 80 minutes. At the same time, the Raiders showed resilience, time and again chasing balls, battling for every 50-50, and refusing to let momentum drop completely.

Erickson’s goal was the bright moment for Hastings. It stood as evidence of what this team can produce when the pieces align. The positives: attitude, fight, commitment. The areas to build upon: finishing chances, limiting conversions by opponents, sustaining pressure.

Coach Armstrong’s comments linger. He clearly sees this senior class as special.

“We are losing nine seniors, have eight returning including four starters,” he noted. “This is my fourth year, and this was my first senior class. I had two players for all four years, many for three. After our second year together, I asked them what kind of schedule they wanted and they said, ‘Hard to get us ready for playoffs’. Their want to get better every day, grow as a team, and win was inspiring. This group of seniors changed the attitude of Hastings Varsity Girls Soccer. They will be missed but their legacy will carry on.”

The sense of gratitude and recognition for these departing players was clear and genuine.

While the final result was not what the Raiders hoped for, there is no question this team looks ahead with strength. The run to the section final reflects a season of growth, and even in defeat the Raiders showed character. The environment Coach Armstrong described, a schedule set to challenge, a team committed to getting better every day, suggests that Hastings is building something that lasts beyond this one season.

The legacy piece stands out. Nine seniors moving on means big holes to fill. With only eight returning players and just four starters among them, the next chapter begins soon. But this season and this week, even with the loss, leaves a mark. The seniors who said they wanted a hard schedule to get the team ready for playoffs and followed through deserve recognition.

Hastings’ week ended with a tough championship loss, but it offered a reminder of how far the Raiders have come, and how much further they might go. The fight was there, the effort was there, the heart was there. Defeat stings, but the takeaway is stronger. The goal by Olyvia Erickson will be saved in team memory, as will the commitment of the squad and the senior class that helped shape the culture. The Raiders may be turning the page, but there is a lot to carry forward.