By Bruce Karnick

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The season has not quite gone as planned for girls’ soccer with a record of 1-4 headed into the week, the Raiders looked to improve on many fronts. To be clear, the 1-4 record has not come because of poor play, the girls have fought hard, played smart, things just have not gone their way.

In the first five games of the season, they were outscored 13-5 meaning they are averaging 2.5 goals per game allowed and scoring one per game. As was demonstrated on Thursday, that can flip in favor of the Raiders with just a little better execution on just a few plays.

Bella Meier and Abby Pelava combined for three Raider goals in the win over Tartan. It was the second win this season for the ladies and they deserved it. Starting keeper, Ava Doffing is out with an injury which opened the door for Lexi Qualy to get her first varsity start. Nerves seemed to get the better of her for the first half, but she kept everything in front of her. An early second half free kick in front of the goal that was created by a defensive play was the only goal that Tartan scored. The final was 3-1 Hastings.

On Saturday, Apple Valley came to town. Again, Qualy got the start. Unfortunately, the Eagle defense stymied the Raider offense and Meier was the only goal scorer for the Raiders and they fell 2-1.

The girls record is 2-5 with nine goals for and 16 against. The last two games have dramatically dropped their goals against average to 1.8, that is a huge step needed to get on a winning streak.

Coming up on the 16th, they host South St. Paul at 7:00. Then on the 18th, they travel to Lakeville north for a 3:00 game before they return home on the 21st to take on Simley.

Abby Pelava scored one of three Raider goals to give the girls a victory against Tartan on Friday, September 10. Photo by Bruce Karnick