ROCKINGHAM — Coming down to the wire, Monday’s Mid-South Conference soccer match was decided on a set piece.
The Richmond Senior High School boys’ soccer team played host to Pinecrest High School, and despite a strong effort from its defense and goalkeeper, suffered a one-goal loss.
With 67 minutes of scoreless soccer played between the two teams, the Raiders allowed a goal off a corner kick, leading to a 1-0 loss.
“Even though we lost, we played the best we have in two or three weeks,” head coach Chris Larsen said. “The guys were focused and ready to go, which led to a lot of good things. We didn’t create as many chances tonight as we have recently, but the ones we did have, were positive.
“The biggest thing from tonight is that whenever we play Pinecrest, the guys decide to step their level of play up, and I’m glad they do. But it can’t be a one-night occurrence. To make that next step as a program and be a quality team, the way we played tonight has to be our every night.
“I’m disappointed that we didn’t get a goal at the end,” he added. “We played well and all the guys who played tonight played quality minutes. Everyone on the team has a role and every guy did his role well.”
It was a busy night for junior goalkeeper Eric Legrand and the Raider defense, which combined to keep the Patriots’ aggressive scoring attack at bay for the majority of the match.
Part of a scoreless first half, Richmond defended a pair of corner kicks in the first 10 minutes, clearing the ball both times without allowing a shot on goal. Legrand made a sliding save on a rush in the box a couple minutes later, then came off his line to make another save with junior center back Brian Griffith helping defend.
Richmond’s best look on goal in the first half was a rip by junior Cole Lambeth from the left side of the 18-yard box in the 19th minute. Going for the back post, Lambeth’s shot was stopped.
Legrand made three athletic saves during an eight-minute span, starting with a grab on a tight-angled shot following a run into the right side of the box. In the 23rd minute, a free kick on frame was scooped up by Legrand despite having a Pinecrest player jump over him on the play.
With just over 12 minutes to go in the half, Legrand stood tall on a hard blast from close range, using one hand to deflect the ball up and over the crossbar and keep the match scoreless.
In the closing six minutes, Pinecrest peppered the goal a few more times, all of which were stopped. On a corner kick, Legrand made an initial save with his right hand, which was cleared by Griffith.
Senior Memphis Jacobs made the next big stop, redirecting a shot with his lower body on a cross into the danger zone to clear it away. On the ensuing corner kick, Legrand made another initial save before senior center back Cole Thrower booted the ball to midfield.
A quieter start to the final 40 minutes of play saw Legrand make a pair of stops through the first 10 minutes, including a block with his body and stopping a skipping ball on a deflection.
Jacobs nearly gave Richmond the lead in the 55th minute with a shot from the left third to the back post, but it sailed just wide of the net.
Pinecrest sent one of its several corner kicks in the second half into the box in the 58th minute, but senior outside back Kimahri Johnson was perfectly positioned along the back post to sweep the untouched cross out of play.
Richmond had back-to-back chances on set pieces in the 61st minute to find the back of the net. First, senior midfielder Elen Fonseca Garcia sent a free kick from 35 yards right on frame, but it was tipped over the bar.
Getting a corner kick, Richmond’s best chance of the second half to score came when senior midfielder Cayden Gillenwater put a header attempt on goal. The redirect went to the keeper’s right, but he was able to make the save.
The Patriots (5-3-1, 4-0 MSC) scored their goal in the 67th minute when Joshua Mandell headed the ball past Legrand on a corner kick.
Not going away quietly, the Raiders upped the pressure in the final 10 minutes, starting with a strike from Jacobs that was saved.
Junior Kevin Diaz Lopez followed with a shot on goal in the 74th minute that was stopped. The loose ball bounced back into the box where Lambeth just missed a chance to attempt a shot in front.
Richmond’s final chance came with 20 seconds to go following a foul. With everyone pushed up into the box, including senior goalkeeper Camden Williams, Fonseca Garcia sent a free kick on frame that was saved.
“We get to get back to work tomorrow knowing that we have it in us to play well,” Larsen closed. “We’ll get ready to close out the first round of conference play against a good Hoke team.”
Richmond (5-8-2, 1-2-1 MSC) has another big conference match at home Thursday against Hoke County High School (8-3-3, 2-1 MSC). Action will start at 7 p.m.
JV Raiders defeated late
The Richmond junior varsity boys’ soccer team also let a late goal lead to a loss Monday.
Hosting the JV Patriots, Richmond suffered a 1-0 loss. Pinecrest scored its goal in the second half.
Despite the loss, head coach Jessi Weigman was pleased with the team’s effort.
“This is the best we’ve played all season,” Weigman said. “So many of the guys played well today and we were really competitive.
“We’ve struggled the last few matches with allowing goals in the second half. If we can play like we did today, and limit our mistakes in the second half, we can win a lot of matches down the stretch.”
The JV Raiders (7-6-1, 1-2-1 MSC) host Hoke County Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.
