TROY — A non-conference match for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ soccer team ended in a scoreless draw Tuesday.
A streak of shutout soccer continued for the Lady Raiders, but they also extended their scoring drought to two straight matches.
Richmond played its final regular-season match at Montgomery Central High School and ended the 80 minutes of play tied 0-0.
Head coach Chris Larsen again applauded the team’s defense and junior goalkeeper Kenley Smith.
Over the past two matches, including Friday’s scoreless draw with Pinecrest High School, the Lady Raiders have kept opponents out of the net for 180 minutes.
“We ended the season with two ties, so that means we’re playing pretty good defense and keeping the ball out of the net,” Larsen said. “We had some chances to score, but couldn’t connect.”
With the regular season officially in the books, the Lady Raiders will shift their focus to preparing for the NCHSAA 7A state playoffs. Based on current projections and Larsen’s math, Richmond will likely get into the 7A West bracket.
“I don’t think drawing in our last two games hurt our chances for the playoffs, and I think we’ll sneak into the West,” Larsen shared. “We’ll likely get the Nos. 23 or 24 seeds, but I’m glad the girls will get a chance to keep playing.
“Our goal every year is to be competitive and limit multi-goal losses, which we’ve done,” he added. “And of course, we want to make the playoffs. It’s a reward for the girls for their hard work and it allows for a new experience to face some of the other higher-level teams in the state we usually don’t get to see.”
Ending the season with a 5-11-4 overall record, the Lady Raiders placed fifth in the Mid-South Conference with a 1-7-2 mark.
Richmond will practice the rest of the week and await the release of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s playoff brackets Friday. The first round is scheduled for Monday.
Sports editor’s note: Game information and statistics provided by head coach Chris Larsen.
