ROCKINGHAM — Back in action for the second time this season, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ soccer team collected its first win of the season on Thursday, while the boys’ tennis team fell for the second straight time.
Lady Raiders win in final seconds at Purnell Swett
After being shut out earlier in the week to begin their season, the Lady Raiders responded with a 2-1 win over non-conference Purnell Swett High School.
With the score tied at one goal apiece for the majority of the game, sophomore forward Allie Rodgers netted the game-winner with 7 seconds remaining in regulation.
Junior Cheyenne Jacobs gave the Lady Raiders a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute on a backside run.
“We’ve been working on getting the ball from one side of the field to the other and hitting one of the mids to make a run on the backside,” head coach Chris Larsen explained.
“Allie played the ball across and gave it to Cheyenne about 35 yards out. She took it from there and was able to beat the defender and flip the ball over the keeper’s head.”
The Lady Rams tied the game in the 25th minute on a run inside the six-yard box. Freshman goalkeeper Quanna Bostic made a play but wasn’t able to stop it.
“We went into the second half and mixed things up,” Larsen explained. “I moved Gabby Lutz to holding mid role and she did a good job winning balls and connecting passes.
“We had scoring opportunities on a corner and some 1v1s, and Jamyia Lindsey also had a nice shot in the last handful of minutes that was stopped on a good save by the keeper.”
Richmond was able to score just before the final whistle when Rodgers corralled the bouncing ball in front of the keeper’s box. She sent a shot to the left post, beating the keeper to her right and curling it into the side net.
“I’m hoping this win will further us along,” Larsen closed. “It’s always tough to get the first win, and I said earlier that Allie and Cheyenne will be big pieces to our success. I’m glad they scored.
“I’m seeing some good things out of a lot of the younger players. When we’re all on the same page, we can play some good soccer. Each night we get more experience and that will help us get better.”
The Lady Raiders (1-1) will close out their busy first week with a match at the Jordan Soccer Complex in Fayetteville on Saturday. Richmond will play Northwood High School (0-1) at 12 p.m.
Raider tennis team swept by Pinecrest
The Richmond boys’ tennis team faced a tough Pinecrest High School squad on Thursday, falling 0-9.
Playing the best of three sets, the Raiders suffered their second straight loss to start the season.
In singles play, No. 1 junior Ty Murray fell 0-6, 1-6 to Kenan Van Scoyac, No. 2 junior Matthew Burns lost 0-6, 3-6 against Ryan Grafenberg and No. 3 junior Ethan McDonald dropped his match to Ethan Spain 5-7, 0-6.
Rounding out the singles competition, No. 4 freshman Jordan Jacobs came up short to Garrett Kane 1-6, 0-6, No. 5 senior Thomas Kvapil lost 1-6, 0-6 to Joe Ledford and No. 6 senior Marcelo Cantu dropped his two sets 0-6, 0-6 against Ethan McClymont.
In doubles, No. 1 Murray and Burns made a run but fell 5-8. No. 2 McDonald and Jacobs dropped their match 4-8 and No. 3 Kvapil and Cantu lost 1-8.
Head coach Jessica Covington said Thursday’s match was a good test for the Raiders and helped them get more experience heading into the rest of conference play.
Richmond (0-2) will return to the court on Monday at SAC opponent Hoke County High School. Singles play will begin at 4 p.m.
