Hastings still seeking first win

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It hasn’t been the start that the new Hastings boys soccer coach has wanted in terms of wins and losses, but first-year-coach Shane Lanning is excited at what he has seen so far this season.

First, he took over the team just days before it began practice, and has been busy just getting to know the players and their strengths.

“I’m new to the program, and new to these players,” he said. “We had to start from ground zero. We have a base, and now we have to start to move on.”

The base, if you will, was built in part through the first 3.5 games of the season. It was during the second half of last week’s close 1-0 loss to Roseville that Lanning figured out who was going to be on the team’s starting lineup.

“Overall, it was a good game to figure out who is going to be our true starters,” Lanning said. “We’ve been switching things in and out so much, and moving guys all over the place.

“I think the Roseville game is where we finally started to look at the final lineups and let our true starters out there for a good portion of the game. We didn’t do too much subbing in the second half. Once we started playing in that second half, we really did, in my opinion, dominate that half. We were just not able to put anything in the net.”

The first half was delayed midway through because of lightning. When the two teams emerged from the weather delay, Roseville got a goal on a corner kick.

“We came out a little slow, and they snuck one in on us,” Lanning said.

Dan Green was in net for Hastings.

“He’s been solid this year,” Lanning said. It has been pretty impressive. Dan is really stepping up. He’s making some good saves. It’s nice to have him back there, because that gives the defense more confidence to play aggressively and push up a little bit farther.”

Defenders Ryan Simons, Sheldon Ritt, Lucas Bunting and Kristian Sebion have all excelled thus far, Lanning said. Simons has been especially strong, according to Lanning.

“Our defense has been keeping us in the game, and shutting down a lot of opportunities,” Lanning said. “Ryan has been really stepping up and taking control of that outside defensive position.”

THUS FAR

Hastings lost its opening game of the season to Champlin Park, 1-0.

In the season’s second game, the Raiders fell to North St. Paul, 2-0.

On Aug. 31, Hastings lost to Burnsville, 4-1. Jacob Niemann scored the lone Hastings goal on a free kick.

On Tuesday, Hastings lost to Farmington, 2-1.

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