ROCKINGHAM — Following the close of the high school girls’ soccer season this weekend, Richmond Senior High School saw five players and one coach recognized on the 2021 All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team.
Senior Jayla McDougald, juniors Ellie Buck, Paxlee Faircloth and Kaitlyn Huff, along with sophomore Bobbie Faircloth, were named to the 25-player roster. It was the first time for all five Lady Raiders to earn the postseason accolade.
Richmond head coach Chris Larsen, who wrapped his third season at the helm of the program, was named the SAC’s “Coach of the Year.” It was also the first time he was awarded with the honor.
Richmond’s All-Conference selections were announced over the weekend after Pinecrest High School lost in the NCHSAA 4A state championship game.
Pinecrest’s Lauren Landry was named “Player of the Year,” as the Lady Patriots had a conference-best six selections. Lumberton High School’s Diamond Harris earned “Goalkeeper of the Year.”
Larsen led the Lady Raiders to a 12-3 overalls record this spring, including a 12-2 mark against SAC opponents. Richmond’s only two conference losses came to the state runner-up Lady Patriots.
The Lady Raiders also made the 4A state playoffs for the fifth season in a row (omitting the shortened 2020 season), but fell to Holly Springs High School in the opening round.
“These five girls getting selected shows we’re heading in the right direction,” Larsen said. “They all put forth good effort this spring. Kaitlyn and Jayla carried the charge with our scoring on the stat sheet, which is a big plus for them.
“Ellie really developed from her freshman to this year, even after not playing a full season last spring,” he added. “She made the AC Sandhills team and it really paid off. Paxlee and Bobbie came in and worked well together in the back, and locked it down. This goes to show they all played good minutes and were rewarded for their efforts.”
Head coach Chris Larsen talks to the Lady Raiders during their playoff game earlier this month. (Kyle Pillar)
Of his first career “Coach of the Year” selection, Larsen said all the credit goes to his entire team.
“It’s a great recognition, but the girls made me look better,” Larsen explained. “Their performance and their play, along with their dedication, allowed for that to happen.
“I have to give all the credit to them for how they played and how they listened and showed up to play night in and night out.”
Jayla McDougald, senior forward
In 15 games, McDougald led the Lady Raiders with 14 goals and added five assists. Playing most nights as the standalone forward at the top of the Richmond offense, McDougald used her speed to weave through defenses and create space inside the 18-yard box.
Three different times this season, McDougald scored two goals in a game. They came in wins against Jack Britt, Hoke County and Purnell Swett high schools, and she found the back of the next at least once in 11 games.
She also had two assists in the season opener, and added solo helpers in three other games. McDougald’s 14 goals were fifth-best in the SAC this year, and one behind Pinecrest’s Blair Rice.
Ellie Buck, junior midfielder
Playing a larger role on the outside wing, Buck impressed this spring with four goals and three assists. Running down the right side, Buck created a lot of scoring opportunities for the Lady Raiders, and was one of Larsen’s go-to players on set pieces, especially corner kicks.
Against Lumberton on March 29, Buck netted two goals, which was a season high. She added solo goals in wins over Seventy-First and Scotland high schools in the closing stretch of the season.
Buck’s assists came in victories against Jack Britt, Lumberton and Scotland, and it was her first full season playing at the varsity level. Larsen expects her to continue to improve heading into her senior year.
Paxlee Faircloth, junior center back
As one of the two starting center backs for Richmond, Faircloth was a big part of the Lady Raiders’ strong defense that limited opposing offenses. Playing her first full year of varsity, Faircloth also scored one goal and one assist out of the back.
In Richmond’s 9-0 win over Scotland to close out the first round of SAC play, Faircloth scored on a penalty kick. Her assist came on a McDougald goal in a pivotal 4-2 win over Jack Britt High School.
Faircloth’s work in the middle of the back line helped senior goalkeeper Kelly Hoffman face fewer shots. As a team, Richmond allowed just 34 goals all season (2.3 goals per game).
Kaitlyn Huff, junior midfielder
Richmond’s main facilitator in the middle of the middle of the field, Huff was a threat on both sides of the ball. Wrapping up her third season on varsity, Huff was second on the team with 12 goals and added five assists.
Scoring two goals in four individual games, Huff did that against Purnell Swett, Hoke County, Jack Britt and Scotland. She scored her four other goals in solo games, while all of her assists were spread out over five games. Huff was tied with A’Jayla Yates (Seventy-First) for the fifth-most goals in the SAC.
Larsen noted that a lot of what Huff does for Richmond doesn’t show up on the scoresheet, but she distributes the ball in the middle of the field and helps start offensive rushes. Using her speed at center midfielder, Huff also did a good job this season slowing opposing counter attacks.
Bobbie Faircloth, sophomore center back
After seeing her freshman season cut short due to the pandemic, Bobbie Faircloth returned as one of just a handful of starting sophomores this spring. Paired with her older sister in the middle of the back row, Faircloth cemented her role as one of Richmond’s toughest defenders.
Playing in front of Hoffman, Faircloth kept opposing offenses at bay and helped Hoffman record the fewest goals against average in the SAC amongst qualifying goalkeepers (1.64 GAA).
Larsen noted he was impressed with Faircloth’s ability to play well the latter half of the season and expects both Faircloth sisters to continue strong play next season.
