ROCKINGHAM — Facing a tougher opponent on Thursday to cap a three-game week, the Lady Raider soccer team drew even with Uwharrie Charter Academy.
Even though the team’s five-game winning streak to start the season came to an end, head coach Chris Larsen was pleased with the Lady Raiders’ effort, especially in the second half.
The match featured 26 total shots on frame, as both keepers kept busy to limit the other team on the scoreboard.
Uwharrie Charter registered 14 shots against sophomore Quanna Bostic and Richmond slotted 12 shots on frame against Alexis Marion.
Both goals were scored in the first half, seeing the Lady Eagles (0-1-1) take a one-goal advantage in the 5th minute. On a loose ball in front of the net, Reese Craven snuck the ball past Bostic.
Richmond was outshot 10-3 in the opening half, as seniors Jenifer Gomez, Cheyenne Jacobs and junior Allied Rodgers put a shot on frame.
The Lady Raiders had a couple of chances in the final 10 minutes before the break, first on a cross by Jacobs from the right side. Following two saves by Bostic, including one on a free kick, Jacobs sent a corner kick into the box that was just deflected wide by sophomore Hanna Smith.
With the clock winding inside of the final minute, the Lady Raiders went on the attack and were awarded a penalty kick after the Lady Eagles committed a foul in the box.
Lining up for the kick was Gomez, who blasted a shot low and to the left corner to knot the game with 29 seconds on the clock.
The second half featured more back-and-forth soccer as both teams used a series of offensive runs to get the ball on frame.
Rodgers led Richmond with three shots, freshman Yulissa Avaloz had two, Jacobs and Gomez added one each, as did seniors Rebeca Avalos and Kalei Sriratanakoul.
Bostic was peppered by shots in the first 20 minutes of the half, and Richmond turned the momentum in the final 20 minutes.
Opportunities came on a Smith cross in the 58th minute, a Rebeca Avalos free kick from 20 yards in the 64th minute, several close-range shots by Rodgers and another free kick, this one by Sriratanakoul in the 74th minute.
Richmond had one last chance in the closing 45 seconds on a corner kick, but Uwharrie Charter cleared the ball and time expired before either team could take another shot.
Richmond (5-0-1) has its third three-game week to start the season, beginning on Tuesday at Southern Lee High School to open Sandhills Athletic Conference play.
Note: The Richmond junior varsity girls’ soccer team didn’t play on Thursday.
