FAYETTEVILLE — Two first-half goals would be enough for the Lady Raider soccer team Tuesday, which defeated Seventy-First High School 2-0.
Playing in back-to-back nights, Richmond and head coach Chris Larsen collected their fourth-straight win. It was also the Lady Raiders’ first shutout of the spring, which was credited to senior goalkeeper Kelly Hoffman.
Junior midfielder Kaitlyn Huff would score the game-winning goal, her team-leading sixth tally in six matches this season. On a corner kick from the left side from sophomore outside back Kalei Sriratanakoul, Huff headed the cross into the back of the net in the fourth minute.
It was the second time this year that a corner kick from Sriratanakoul led to a header goal by Huff, as the two connected in a win over Hoke County last week. Sriratanakoul now has two assists on the campaign.
In the 21st minute, senior forward Jayla McDougald would add an insurance goal on an assist from senior midfielder Caroline Whitley. Winning the ball on Seventy-First’s half of the field, Whitley played the ball down the line to McDougald in space.
Taking a touch, McDougald sent a shot that sailed into the side netting along the back post. It was her fourth goal this season and Whitley’s first assist.
Richmond was no stranger to putting the ball on frame, knocking 14 shots in the win. Huff accounted for seven shots, McDougald added four, and Whitley, Sheccid Heaton and Cheyenne Jacobs all contributed one shot.
It was a quiet night for Hoffman in net, who faced just five shots from the Lady Falcons (1-5). Three shots came from A’Jaylah Yates and the other two were recorded by Hannah Lewis.
“The biggest thing about tonight’s game was that we were able to get a lot of people minutes,” Larsen explained. “Some girls are starting to step up who didn’t play a lot last year, and they’re making progress.
“We’re still lacking in our fundamentals and not focusing during games, and I still think we can play better than we have lately,” he added. “It’s hard to complain when we’re on a four-game streak, but it’s up to the girls to perform better.”
Richmond (5-1) currently sits alone in second place in the Sandhills Athletic Conference standings. The Lady Raiders will take a couple days off ahead of spring break and return to action at home against Scotland High School (0-5) on Tuesday, April 6.
“We get a little bit of a break and hopefully we can rest and come prepared for Scotland and attack the rest of the schedule,” Larsen closed.
Note: The Richmond junior varsity soccer team didn’t play on Tuesday due to Seventy-First not having a team.
