Raiders Awarded #1 Seed

The Raiders ended their regular season on a six game winning streak. With a record of 19-2-2, the Raiders earned the #1 seed in their region. Top seed in a region is awarded on a vote by the coaches within that region, and the Raiders were the unanimous top team choice. An advantage of having the #1 seed is hosting three playoff games on home turf in Belleville. Each of these games is a must win encounter to advance.
In the first game of the week, on a night that honored both Seniors and Parents, the Raiders hosted the Stoughton Vikings. Ten senior players were celebrated for their leadership, character and ability. With gratitude for their contributions to the Raider Soccer program the following seniors were honored: Marissa Atkins, Jackie Burgess, Hannah Jones, Abbi Lahey, Brooke Larson, Taylor Legler, Sarah Marsh, Vanessa Narveson, Alex Nealis and Nicole Sanders. In the game, play started slowly with the ball changing possession back and forth between the two teams. In the 22nd minute, Vanessa Narveson took a hard decisive kick and planted it in the net. In the second half, Kalin O'Rourke padded the Raider lead on a dramatic breakaway that resulted in a goal. Final: Raiders 2, Stoughton 0.
In the second game of the week, the Raiders were the traveling team in a Capital Conference showdown with Cambridge/Deerfield United. Even though possession of the ball was controlled by the Raiders, it was Cambridge/Deerfield who scored first. But with less than a minute remaining before half, Vanessa Narveson gave the Raiders the equalizer and tied the score. Finding the back of the net on a header, Narveson gave the Raiders some much needed momentum. In the second half the Raiders found their rhythm with goals scored by Vanessa Narveson and Brooke Larson. Final: Raiders 3, Cambridge/Deerfield 1.
In the last game of the regular season, the Raiders hosted Platteville. The game got off to a great start for the Raiders when senior forward Vanessa Narveson put the ball in the net. Narveson went on to score two more goals for the Raiders and recorded her second hat-trick of the season. Also scoring for the Raiders were Abbi Lahey and Esther Noriega. Players at every position focused on supporting the offense and the defense only allowed one goal to be scored. Final: Raiders 5, Platteville 1.
Next up for the Raiders is the first Regional game on Thursday, June 2nd, in Belleville at 7:00 p.m., against Edgerton. The Raiders will take their momentum, intensity, attacking offense and shut down defense into the coming week as they face strong completion.