The boys’ soccer season started with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Eastview on August 22. That was followed up with a 5-0 rout of Bloomington Jefferson on the 24th. Both games took place at Todd Field.

Last year, the Raiders shocked Eastview with a 4-3 win on the Lightnings own home turf, so you know that this game was circled on the schedule right away for the 2024 season.

Hastings had control of the ball with a lot of great scoring chances, but the Lightning defense did a great job shutting down the Raider attack at the last second. Eastview capitalized on an early game penalty that occurred in the goalie box giving them a penalty kick that befuddled Raider netminder Brady Stewart.

Eastview scored on a second penalty kick and Hastings got one back when Ethan Schaack took a penalty kick, but they could not convert on any of their additional scoring chances, and they fell 2-1 in the season opener.

Against Bloomington Jefferson, the Raiders had control of the game the entire 80 minutes logging 15 shots on goal to the Jaguars one. Xavier Beal, Jed Carlson, Ethan Schaack, Johan Rova-Hegener and Malachi Beal each had a goal in that contest.

The boys will travel to Park of Cottage Grove on Aug. 29 for a 3:00 p.m. start and then host Sep. 3, the day after Labor Day, at 5:00 p.m. at Todd Field.