CHARLOTTE — Continuing its tough non-conference slate to start the season, the Lady Raider soccer team ended its match in a draw with Independence High School Friday.
A night after a scoreless draw with Terry Sanford High School, the Lady Raiders finished in a 2-2 draw against the Lady Patriots.
Independence took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute, but senior forward Allie Rodgers tied the match in the 32nd minute.
Beating a defender along the left side, Rodgers made a run and scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season by sneaking her shot inside the near post.
The 1-1 tie would carry into the second half and be broken in the 52nd minute by senior midfielder Gabby Lutz.
Following a handball in the box by Independence, Lutz took the penalty shot and found twine to make it a 2-1 lead. It was Lutz’s second goal of the season, both on PKs.
Trying to hold onto the lead, the Lady Raiders allowed a goal in the 73rd minute. Independence tied the game 2-2 on a free kick from 35 yards that trickled into the net.
Junior goalkeeper Quanna Bostic made 12 saves in the game and sophomore defender Jentry Denson also saved a goal in the second half by clearing a ball along the open goal mouth.
“It was a good game with a lot of back-and-forth,” head coach Chris Larsen said. “Both teams had chances to score, and Quanna made a couple of good stops inside of 10 yards. Mariana (Gonzalez) hit the crossbar early in the first half to set the tone that we could compete.
“This week we played two good ball games and really prepared ourselves heading into conference play,” he closed.
The Lady Raiders (2-0-2) will open Sandhills Athletic Conference action Tuesday on the road at Southern Lee High School (1-1). The varsity-only match will start at 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: The Richmond junior varsity girls soccer team (2-0) didn’t play Friday and will return to action next Friday at Pinecrest High School.
All statistics and game information provided by head coach Chris Larsen and assistant coach Bennie Howard.
