After a rough loss to Mahtomedi on Wednesday the Raiders we are only able to put in five goals, and they were dominated at the face-off X. The Raiders seem to get back on track with a big win against the Woodbury Royals on their home turf.

It was a perfect sunny afternoon to spend watching lacrosse and a Hastings Raiders win, at the Woodbury Royals home stadium.

The Raiders started the game with a big win on the opening faceoff. Aiden Larimar back healthy from a shoulder injury help the Raiders control most of the face-offs against the Royals. Larimer and John Chorlton worked a two-man game on the face offs that gave most face off controls to the Raiders. The control of the face-offs in lacrosse is a big factor in control of the game.

With Larimer controlling the open face off and giving the Raiders a couple of opportunities in the offensive end, the Raiders clamp down with their full field defense. Aiden Larimar and Luke Chorlton force turnovers on the ride, Chorlton’s pressure on the clear forced bad pass that Pip Schaeffer took advantage of for the game’s opening goal. Pip really stepped up and carried the load this game, Schaffer had two goals in the first quarter on his way to the team high five goals. Senior Alex Thompson also added two goals in the first and a helper to get the Raiders going.

With the Raiders first possession of the second quarter Colin Derkup came around the right side of the net and dunked one over the goalie with a couple of Royals hanging on him. The Raiders did a good job of spreading the scoring around with Schaffer getting five Thompson with four Colin Derkup and Luke Chorlton with two each and Larimer and John Chorlton rounding out the scoring with one and one.

The Raiders Jackson Sweeney had another really good game with more than 20 saves and throwing darts on the clear. He also directed the defense that finally has all their poles on the field. Garret Putnam did a great job sliding to help today. Garret has really stepped up this year moving from short stick middi to solidify the back end with freshman Brady Nichol,Jaxon Schiller and Ben McKinney. Garrett’s play has also allowed the Raiders to move John Chorlton around between LSM and short stick depending on their needs.

The Raiders Ride again made a difference with their middies getting more involved in there for field defense, Ethan Hagen, Kale Hinderscheid and Ayden Larimer made some impressive defensive stops on the Ride this game. Ben Clemmons along with his younger brother Ryan also played a big role defensively in this win today as the heat played a factor.

It was another full team effort that led to the final 15 to 8 big win. The Raiders next game will be against Tri-Mac at Minnehaha Academy.