ROCKINGHAM — Colbie Covington, a freshman soccer player, has been named the Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.
Nearing the end of her first season, Covington has been a regular starting outside midfielder for the Lady Raiders all spring. Her scoring foot has gotten hot over the past few matches, which spanned a pair of wins for Richmond.
With the regular season and Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament in the books, Covington earned her first career recognition as the Lady Raiders await playoff seeding.
Athletic Profile
Year: Freshman
Spring sport: Soccer
Position: Outside midfielder
Varsity experience: 1 season
Other sports: Tennis
“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH COLBIE COVINGTON
One of two starting freshmen on the soccer team this season, Covington attends classes at the Richmond County Ninth Grade Academy, as well as Richmond Senior High School.
An honors student, Covington made the A/B honor roll during the first semester. She currently has a 3.37 weighted grade point average.
During the fall semester, Covington took English II Honors at Richmond. At NGA, she made the honor roll with high marks in Earth and Environmental Science Honors, Foundations of Math I and Weight Training Honors.
With the spring semester in its final stretch, Covington is looking to earn credits in four more classes — Agriscience Applications Honors at Richmond, and Math I, Weight Training Honors and World History Honors at the Academy.
“My favorite class this semester is Weight Training,” Covington said. “I really enjoy being in there with my friends and getting to work out to get stronger for playing soccer and tennis.
“One academic goal that I have is to graduate and get into a good college,” she added. “I want to become an interior or exterior designer.”
“FINDING TWINE” WITH COLBIE COVINGTON
The Lady Raiders played two final regular-season games last Thursday and Friday before starting the SAC tournament Monday. Between those four matches, Covington scored a team-high four goals.
Covington’s scoring streak started at Scotland High School, which resulted in an 8-0 win for Richmond. She recorded her first career hat trick by tallying a goal in the first half and two more in the second half.
After putting a couple of shots on frame, Covington sent an assist to teammate Allie Rodgers who scored and made it 2-0.
Just 59 seconds after that goal, Covington scored her first goal of the match. Off a pass from Yulissa Avalos, Covington cut in from the left side and scored on a wide-open net thanks to some fancy footwork.
Covington had two of Richmond’s five second-half goals, starting with her second tally in the 49th minute. This time she made a solo run through the middle of the box to beat the keeper one-on-one.
Again from the left side in the 56th minute, Covington took a pass from Gabby Lutz and rocketed a tight-angled shot toward the back post. Deflecting off the keeper’s hands, the ball trickled into the net to make it a 6-0 lead.
During Monday’s SAC tournament opener at home against Southern Lee High School, Covington scored the eventual game-winning goal in a 6-0 victory.
Finding a bouncing ball near the left post following a Mariana Gonzalez free kick, Covington lifted the ball over the keeper’s head and under the crossbar to make it 1-0 in the 12th minute.
Later in the match, Covington assisted Hanna Smith’s goal in the 46th minute, which was the first of five goals in the second half for Richmond.
In 24 matches this season, Covington has scored five goals and added two assists. Her goal tally is tied for second on the team with Gonzalez.
The Lady Raiders will find out Friday if they qualified for the NCHSAA 4A East state playoffs.
‘RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO’ WITH COLBIE COVINGTON
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week soon.
