ROCKINGHAM — Richmond Senior High School’s junior varsity boys’ soccer team ended a two game skid on Wednesday at home against Union Pines High School.
The non-conference match was added to the team’s slate this week, and the Raiders took care of business in a 4-2 victory.
Richmond took control of the game early with a 2-0 lead, before breaking a two-goal tie in the second half with a pair of goals in the closing 35 minutes of play.
Freshman James Eason kept his scoring foot hot, and was responsible for the Raiders’ first two goals. He extended his team-leading goal total to five tallies in four matches.
Fellow freshman Noah Williams scored the game-winner, his second mark of the season, and sophomore Tyler Berry added an insurance goal late for his first goal of the campaign.
“I’m proud of the boys for working hard and for not giving up once the game became close,” head coach Tad Hamilton said. “James provided yet again with two more goals and a solid performance.
“Tyler also stood out and played particularly well,” he added. “He was sharp and was rewarded for his efforts with his first goal of the season.”
In the opening five minutes of the game, Eason scored Richmond’s first goal. Union Pines’ goalkeeper bobbled the ball and Eason crashed into the box and knocked the ball loose from his hands. Taking a touch, he punched it in the goal.
In the 15th minute, Eason was fouled in the box and was awarded a penalty kick. He stepped up and slotted the shot low to the keeper’s left. The Raiders would hold the 2-0 lead until halftime.
To open the second half, the Vikings spurred a comeback with two quick goals. The first one came on a through ball into the box and Richmond’s keeper was beat on a one-on-one battle. Hamilton said the Raiders’ back line was “a little unorganized,” which led to the tally.
Union Pines’ second goal was scored on a penalty kick after a Raider defender collided with a player in the box. WIth 20 minutes to play, both teams were knotted at 2-2.
Williams shifted the game’s momentum in the Raiders’ favor a couple minutes later with his goal. He beat a defender down the wing and “opened up his body for a nice right-footed shot into the lower corner.”
The Raider defense was able to prevent the Vikings from scoring another goal and Berry tacked on the extra measure in the 65th minute. Sophomore Ayden Mabe, who earned the assist, made a cross to Berry, who rifled the shot past the keeper who Hamilton said was off his line.
Richmond (2-2) will host rival Scotland High School on Monday at 5 p.m.
