Red Raiders see tough loss

PULASKI – The Pulaski Red Raiders (0-10) faced off against the Neenah Rockets (6-2) in a lacrosse matchup many assumed was decided before the opening whistle. The Red Raiders, a young second-year program, were still searching for their first win of the season. Meanwhile, the Rockets, 2024 State runners-up, entered the game riding a five-game win streak.

The Rockets took control immediately, scoring in the opening seconds. With a 15-0 halftime lead, things were not looking up for the Red Raiders. Pulaski head coach Rich Thomson addressed his team during the break, emphasizing the need for energy despite the deficit and urging players to mark their opponents and keep their sticks up on defense.

“Two-thirds of our team is underclassmen,” Thomson said. “There are fundamentals we are working on and building. Everything is a learning experience.”

As the sun began to set over Red Raider Stadium, Neenah’s lead continued to grow, reaching 21 points by the end of the third quarter. Pulaski’s fans and players grew restless, yearning for a goal to break the shutout. Their efforts were rewarded late in the fourth quarter when senior midfielder Josh Huettl scored, bringing the final score to 26-1.

“It was good to spark something very late, and it was the first goal of my career,” Huettl said after the game.

Pulaski’s lacrosse program, still in its infancy, has shown growing pains. The team will continue to develop its younger players, guided by senior leaders such as Huettl and goalkeeper Ben Schroeder.

“It’s been a while since I’ve played lacrosse, so bringing intensity from other sports has helped,” Huettl said of his role as a leader.

“It takes 10,000 reps to be proficient at something. The more reps we can get in and the more we practice like we’re in a game, the better we’ll do,” Thomson said. “We haven’t built the whole Lego house yet, but we’ve started the foundation.”

The Red Raiders will continue their search for a victory on Thursday, May 1, when they travel to face the Kimberly Papermakers.