ROCKINGHAM — Returning to the pitch for the first time in a week, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ soccer team began Sandhills Athletic Conference play Friday.
Starting their 12-game conference slate at home against Pinecrest High School, the Lady Raiders dropped a 3-0 decision to the Lady Patriots.
Pinecrest led 2-0 at halftime before adding an insurance goal in the closing 40 minutes.
The Lady Patriots netted their first goal midway through the first half following a corner kick, which was finished by Anna Depenbrock.
With six seconds remaining in the first half, a counterattack by the Lady Patriots resulted in a contested goal from close range by Mikayla Voltz.
Depenbrock scored her second goal of the match following a foul committed by the Lady Raiders in the second half. Taking a 40-yard free kick, Depenbrock’s shot deflected off the hands of sophomore goalkeeper Leslie Santiago and into the net.
“We still played well,” head coach Chris Larsen commented. “Not being 100 percent and not having all our girls makes it difficult, but those who were here put up a great fight. I thought we did a good job limiting their chances to score.
“I’m pleased with the overall effort and that’s all I can ask for,” he added. “We’ve held it together with girls missing games because of basketball and cheer, and Leslie has played her rear end off over the span of 4 games. Hopefully things come together and we can get a win Tuesday.”
The Lady Raiders (1-3, 0-1 SAC) travel to Hoke County High School (3-3, 1-1 SAC) Tuesday for another conference match. The match will start at 7 p.m.
JV Lady Raiders shut out
In junior varsity action, the Richmond JV girls’ soccer team also played Pinecrest Tuesday.
The JV Lady Raiders lost 7-0. Pinecrest scored five goals in the first half and added two goals in the second half.
Richmond (1-2, 0-1 SAC) will travel to Hoke County Tuesday and start at 5 p.m.
Sports editor's note: Statistics and game information provided by head coach Chris Larsen.
