The Hastings Raiders girls soccer team enters the 2026 season with a new head coach, a new group taking on larger roles and a difficult act to follow.
Hastings reached the Section 3AA championship game for the first time in program history last fall, completing a postseason run that raised the bar for the program. Nine seniors graduated from that team, leaving eight returning players, including four starters.
Now Christian Waage takes over as head coach, inheriting both the expectations created by last season and a group he believes is ready to create an identity of its own.
“There are many, many roles that will be hard to fill but we have a daring group of both upperclassmen and underclassmen that have had another year to develop and are looking for every opportunity to prove themselves,” Waage said.
Rather than asking his first Hastings team to recreate what happened a year ago, Waage wants the 2026 Raiders to decide for themselves what success will look like.
“It is important for each group to find their own collective definition of success, and create their own goals to build into that success,” he said.
The Raiders enter the season with a strong group of seniors providing leadership. Waage said the captains selected “Mind Over Matter” as the team's theme for the season, reflecting a group he believes is capable of handling challenges and responding when things become difficult.
“This group is led by a strong core of senior leadership that has the perfect combination of processing and outcome driven goals,” Waage said. “I have been blown away at the ability of this group to work together in training and rise to the occasion, no matter what.”
At the center of the returning group is senior Siena Sanchez, an All-State player last season and one of the Raiders' primary offensive threats.
Waage expects Sanchez to again play a major role, but he also sees her value extending well beyond goals and statistics.
“Siena Sanchez is one of the best people, players and leaders that I have ever had the privilege and pleasure of being around,” Waage said. “She is always looking to help others around her shine, despite being a huge star herself.”
Sanchez is joined by fellow captains Olivia Levine and Ava Santamaria, who Waage expects to provide important leadership throughout the season.
The Raiders should have experience throughout the middle of the field. Claire Montgomery, Amelia Montgomery and Levine are expected to play significant roles in the midfield, while Santamaria, Grace Braucks and Brynn Kelly provide experience along the back line.
Hastings also has several options around Sanchez in the attack. Ruby Bauer and Peyton Engeldinger return as scoring threats, while Grace Knoll and Emi Bremer will handle the work in goal.
Waage believes that balance could become one of the team's strengths.
The Raiders will also need contributions from several players who are new to the varsity lineup.
Maxine Molitor, Summer Dierson, Kira Giesen and Amaya Butler are among the forwards Waage expects to make an immediate impact. Ellie Esler is expected to contribute on defense, while Miriam Garofolo could see time in either the midfield or back line.
“Each one of these players is ready for the varsity field and will be seeking to leave their mark on our competitions,” Waage said.
That depth will be important as Hastings faces a schedule that Waage said will include everything from Class AA opponents to some of the strongest Class AAA competition in Minnesota.
While personnel will change, Waage does not want the strong culture already established within Hastings girls soccer to disappear with the coaching transition.
He said he has been impressed with the way returning players have welcomed new teammates, coaches and staff members while continuing to push one another to improve.
“Our culture is player driven and surrounds our soccer family sharing their love of the beautiful game with the rest of the community,” Waage said.
That culture is also central to how Waage will measure his first season as head coach.
Wins will matter, particularly for a team that experienced a deep postseason run just one year ago, but Waage said relationships within the program will matter just as much.
“This season will be successful if I can watch the relationships amongst these players continue to grow and flourish both on and off the field,” he said. “At the end of the day, these players have a strong connection that extends well beyond soccer, and that is the most important part for me.”
Waage describes the 2026 Raiders in three words, competitive, caring and confident.
He expects all three to be visible when Hastings takes the field.
“We will fight for each other, sacrifice for each other, and our love for each other and the beautiful game will be on display,” Waage said.
After making program history last fall, the Raiders begin 2026 with a different roster and a different head coach. The challenge now is not to repeat last season, but to see what this group can build on its own.