ROCKINGHAM — Three goals in the opening 10 minutes, coupled with two late tallies in the final 14 minutes helped the Richmond Senior High School varsity soccer team return to the win column on Monday.
Hosting non-conference Cape Fear High School, the Raiders used two goals each from seniors Cody Eason, Pedro Molina and Luke Williams to edge the Colts 6-5.
Coming off a shutout loss against Sun Valley High School last Thursday, head coach Chris Larsen said the team made the necessary tweaks to put the pressure on the visiting team early.
“The biggest thing we did tonight is we were able to connect passes early on,” Larsen said. “By doing that, we were able to hold possession and get some guys forward to get some shots on frame.
“We came out of the gates firing close to on all cylinders,” he added. “It was good to see the guys have some success early. The mentality at the start of tonight was different, and that went a long way.”
Eason tallied his first goal just 44 seconds into the match, making a run down the right side of the field. He sent a cross into the box, which hit a defender and deflected into the net.
In the ninth minute, Molina took advantage of a redirected shot from senior Han Jalbasuren. Sending a hard rolling shot on frame, Jalbasuren’s attempt hit the post and bounced to Molina inside the 6-yard box, who tapped it into the goal to make it 2-0.
Williams added to the early barrage of scoring 68 seconds later, charging into the box up the middle of the field. Going 1-on-1 with the keeper, Williams slotted the ball inside the left post to give the Raiders a three-goal lead in the 10th minute.
Senior Cody Eason (18) scored his first two goals of the season on Monday. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
Jeron Lassiter scored the Colts’ first goal in the 11th minute to stop the bleeding for Cape Fear (0-2).
Williams struck again in the 23rd minute, splitting a pair of defenders to get inside the 18-yard box. Again going solo against the keeper, Williams withstood a slide tackle from behind and chipped a shot up and over the hands of the goalie to regain a 4-1 lead.
In the closing 11 minutes of the first half, Cape Fear closed its deficit to just one goal. Julius McLemore scored in the 30th minute and Maddox Terwilliger beat Richmond’s keeper Ian Williams with a goal in the 36th minute.
Out of the halftime break, McLemore scored his second tally of the game in the 52nd minute to knot the game 4-4, completing a 3-0 run by the Colts.
“We just had to get refocused,” Larsen explained of breaking the late tie. “We came out and got an early lead, which is something we haven’t had much of this year. We let our guard down and they snuck a few in.
“I told them at halftime you have to play the full 80 minutes,” he continued. “In the first half we played about 30 of the 40 minutes, and it was the same (in the second half). When we play focused, we play good, it’s fun and enjoyable to watch.”
Williams, who leads the team with four goals on the season, had two opportunities to complete a hat trick. He sent rips over the crossbar in the 57th and 60th minutes.
Senior Alex Medina set up Richmond’s fifth goal, dribbling from midfield and lacing a shot on goal. The initial save was made, but Eason was there to collect the loose change, redirecting the ball inside the right post for his second goal of the season in the 66th minute.
Using some fancy footwork to create space inside the 18-yard box, Molina tallied the eventual game-winning tally in the 73rd minute. It was also his second goal of the campaign.
One last comeback effort for the Colts saw Trent Bunce score with a shot just under the crossbar in the 78th minute.
Jalbasuren and Molina were each credited with an assist in the win over Cape Fear.
Senior Luke Williams (22), who scored twice, celebrates with Cody Eason (18) after a goal in the second half. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
“It’s good to spread the wealth and that means guys are making some runs,” Larsen said. “We don’t have that one threat that you can man up on, but guys are moving around and finding themselves in good positions and capitalizing on those opportunities.”
Now 2-3 on the season, Richmond will prepare to open Sandhills Athletic Conference play on Wednesday at home against Southern Lee High School (3-1). The game will begin at 6 p.m.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS — Click the links below to hear from Eason, Molina, WIlliams and Coach Larsen following Monday’s win.
JV Raiders collect another win to start season
The Richmond junior varsity soccer team shut out Cape Fear 4-0 on Monday, helping improve its record to 5-0 to begin the new season.
Scoring for the JV Raiders were sophomores James Eason, Samuel Hawks and Noah Williams, along with freshman Landon Summerlin.
The JV Raiders scored one goal in the first half before tacking on three insurance goals in the final 35 minutes.
Head coach Bennie Howard and the team will travel to Hoke County High School on Wednesday, beginning play at 5 p.m.
