RAEFORD — The Richmond Raider soccer team came up a goal short of advancing in the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament on Monday.
Playing at No. 4 Hoke County High School, the No. 5 Raiders lost 2-1.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Richmond scored in the 51st minute on a penalty kick by senior center midfielder Jesus Castro.
In what was Castro’s ninth goal of the season, the scoring chance was set up courtesy of the Bucks being whistled for a foul in the box.
The competitive second half saw both teams trade opportunities, but Hoke County netted the game-winning goal on a PK in the 76th minute.
Richmond (9-11-1) is holding onto hope that the Raiders will make the NCHSAA 4A East state playoffs. The official brackets will be released on Friday.
Below are photos of Monday’s SAC tournament game at Hoke County taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
