ROCKINGHAM — Junior soccer player Jesus Castro has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week, presented by HWY 55.
Proving himself as an important catalyst on offense for the Raider soccer team, Castro accounted for all of Richmond’s scoring in its first win of the season last week.
Following teammate James Eason as the second Raider soccer player recognized this fall, this is also Castro’s second career recognition. He was an Athlete of the Week for soccer last September.
Athletic Profile
Year: Junior
Fall Sport: Soccer
Position: Center Midfielder
Years on Varsity: 3 years
“FINDING THE NET” WITH JESUS CASTRO
Head coach Chris Larsen has made the comment that this year’s Raider soccer team has played well, but has “struggled to find the back of the net.” In last Wednesday’s non-conference match, Castro was the answer.
The Raiders shut out the Rams 3-0, using Castro’s first career varsity hat trick to enter the win column. Castro scored one goal in the first half, before adding two more in the final 40 minutes of play.
Being in the right place at the right time, Castro’s first goal in the 14th minute was a one-timer near the top of the 18-yard box. Teammate Danny Jaimes saw a pass deflected by a defender, which fell at Castro’s feet and was booted into the net.
Leading 1-0 in the second half, Castro scored his other two goals in an 11-minute span. The first came on a free kick from 20 yards, seeing Castro bend the shot around the left edge of the wall and into the goal in the 60th minute.
Castro’s final goal was a result of a solo run down the left side of the field in the 71st minute. Racing around a defender, Castro laced a shot to the back post for the game’s final tally.
As a center midfielder, a lot of Castro’s contributions come from his hustle and facilitation of the ball up and down the field.
Richmond (1-1-1) has a busy three-game week, starting with Uwharrie Charter Academy at home on Monday. That will be followed by opening Sandhills Athletic Conference play at Southern Lee on Tuesday and another non-conference match at Lumberton on Thursday.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH JESUS CASTRO
Watch a video interview of Castro, who discusses his hat trick, the Raiders starting conference play and some of his favorite professional soccer players and teams.
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Athletes of the Week
next week.
