ROCKINGHAM — Thursday’s junior varsity soccer game between the Richmond Raiders and Hoke County High School was the most dramatic game head coach Tad Hamilton said he’s been a part of.
Although the Raiders didn’t finish on the winning end of the 4-3 final score, the Sandhills Athletic Conference match wasn’t without its exciting moments for Richmond.
Freshman James Eason, who Hamilton called his “go-to player” early this season, netted a pair of goals in the loss. He also scored the game-winner on Tuesday, giving him the team lead with three tallies in two matches.
Sophomore Mason Iacovone notched Richmond’s first goal in the game, which was also his first mark on the scoresheet this winter.
“This was the most dramatic game I’ve been a part of as a coach,” Hamilton said. “Overall, I’m proud of the boys. We played well tonight, and it’s the best we’ve played early this season. Offensively, we created so many chances and hit the post a couple of times. We just weren't sharp enough on our finishing.
“Defensively, we made some simple mistakes. And each simple mistake led to a goal,” he added. “We gave fouls at the edge of the box, let the ball slip under our feet, little things like that.
Hamilton said his team did a great job applying pressure against the Bucks in the offensive zone in the opening 35 minutes.
Sophomore Ayden Mabe put a header on frame in the first 90 seconds, and freshmen Samuel Hawks and Noah Williams both made several runs into the box to contest Hoke County’s keeper. Freshman Henry Zapata also had a chance on a free kick from 20 yards.
In the 21st minute, Hoke County took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Nana Rockson. A long throw from the left sideline found Rockson in space in front of the net, who punched it low past goalkeeper Edwin Estrada.
That score would hold into the halftime break, and Hamilton noted he thought the Raiders played a better first half than the Bucks. A pep talk at the break sparked a fast start for Richmond in the second half.
Iacovone tied the match at one in the 37th minute when he booted a roller in from 25 yards out. His shot hit the keeper’s hands, who fumbled it and watched it roll into the net.
Just 2:30 later, Eason scored his first of the game when he bent a shot in on a corner kick. From the left side, he crossed the ball through traffic and it found the back post without being touched.
James Eason (right) celebrates with teammates following his first goal in the 39th minute.
Richmond’s celebration was short-lived when Joseph Ames netted the first of his two goals for Hoke County. Ames’ goal tied the game two in the 41st minute.
Gerardo Aguirre nearly gave Richmond the lead in the 49th minute with a blast on frame. But Ames would swing the momentum back down the field and beat goalkeeper Ethan McDonald on a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box.
Trailing 3-2 in the 50th minute, the Raiders went to work. Eason banged a direct kick off the crossbar in the 66th minute, and sophomore Jullian Cline went high and left on a tight-angled shot a minute later.
Keeping the pressure on, Eason knotted the game with a laser from the left side of the box from 15 yards out with 2:06 left in regulation.
“It was a back-and-forth game and unfortunately we made that final mistake that cost us the game,” Hamilton explained. “We fouled on the edge of the box and Hoke put a cross in, we didn’t clear it and it was deflected in.”
That mistake came in the closing 30 seconds, and the bouncing ball found Lukas Heim in the center of the field. He redirected the ball on frame for the game-winning shot.
Despite the loss, Hamilton said the pieces are coming together for the Raiders.
“James is a versatile player. I play him in the back, but he prefers to play striker and he’s scored in both games so far,” Hamilton said of Eason. “He has speed and physicality, can finish and is great on set pieces like we saw tonight.
“Mason scored that first goal, and it brought that energy to the team,” Hamilton said. “He’s that guy who can energize and lead the middle of the field. His belief got us going and put us back in the battle.”
Richmond (1-1) will gear up for another tough contest on Monday, traveling to Lumberton High School. The match is slated for a 5 p.m. start.
