SOUTHERN PINES — Head coach Chris Larsen said it was hard to put into words how well the Richmond soccer team played despite Wednesday’s loss.
The Raiders visited Pinecrest High School for a Sandhills Athletic Conference match and lost 1-0.
A scoreless draw at halftime was undone when the Patriots netted the game’s only goal in the 62nd minute.
Senior goalkeeper Adrian Padron didn’t play due to a lingering injury. In his place, junior net minder Camden Williams started and Larsen tipped his cap to his efforts.
“Camden started tonight since Adrian isn’t 100%,” Larsen said. “He made a few great stops in the first half to keep it scoreless.
“There were a couple of stops on shots from distance and Camden also made a good stop on a 1v1 opportunity.”
Larsen noted that the back-and-forth play in the opening 40 minutes was intensified by the Raiders in the second half.
“We had three good looks on goal in the second half,” he said. “Memphis Jacobs and Noah Gil each had a chance, but Patrick Smith probably had the most promising opportunity.
“Gui Romero hit Patrick on a back post run, who missed just a few feet wide. The chance was there and it got us more engaged in the ball game.”
Pinecrest scored on a deflection in the box when Williams reacted in the direction of the initial shot. The ball trickled in to make it 1-0.
Larsen also complimented the defensive line of Dougie Dickinson, Elen Fonaeca, Phoenix Jacobs, Daryan Mendez and Cole Thrower for “withstanding wave after wave” of Pinecrest’s offensive attack.
“We’re playing really good soccer and I know the guys are tired of hearing me say that,” Larsen closed. “We just need to get that first victory to get over the hump.”
A quick turnaround for the Raiders (1-8, 0-2 SAC) will see them host non-conference Jack Britt High School (9-2) Thursday at 7 p.m.
JV Raiders draw even with Pinecrest
A lead at halftime didn’t hold for the Richmond junior varsity boys’ soccer team Wednesday.
Leading by a goal at the break, the JV Raiders ended in a 3-3 draw with Pinecrest.
Freshman Allen Franco netted a pair of penalty kicks to make it 2-1 at the break.
Pinecrest scored two goals early in the second half to switch the lead. Richmond’s final goal was a header by freshman Martin Lopez, assisted by Franco off a set piece.
The JV Raiders (3-4-2, 0-1-1 SAC) host Jack Britt Thursday at 5:15 p.m.
