LAURINBURG — Old habits have a way of hanging around, such was the case Wednesday for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ soccer team.
Taking care of business against rival Scotland High School with regularity the past decade, the Lady Raiders notched their 23rd consecutive victory over the Lady Scots and needed just 42 minutes to do so.
Using a barrage of scoring in the first half, Richmond defeated Scotland 9-0 by way of the mercy rule.
Leading by seven goals at the half, two goals in the opening two minutes of the second half ended the match with 38 minutes remaining.
Juniors Mariana Gonzalez and Kellie Gomez each netted a pair of goals, with Gomez scoring her team-leading third goal of the season.
Adding solo tallies, and their second respective goals of the season, were juniors Colbie Covington and Cadence Gazoo, sophomore Erin Drumwright and freshman Nayeli Chavez.
The other goal was courtesy of freshman Kaylea Peele, who recorded her first career varsity score. Gazoo’s goal was the mercy-rule clincher.
In back-to-back matches, junior goalkeeper Kenley Smith, with assistance from the defense, recorded a shutout in the net.
The 9-0 win marked the third straight mercy-rule victory for Richmond against its rivals. It was also the fourth consecutive shutout win.
The Lady Raiders’ current winning streak, the longest ever of any Richmond program over a Scotland program, began in the spring of 2015.
“Our plan tonight was to put into play the things we’ve been working on in practice,” head coach Chris Larsen said. “I thought we did that pretty well and we were able to find the back of the net with some consistency.
“We have what should be a pretty good match Friday, so this was a good chance for us to make a few corrections. Hopefully we can keep things going in the right direction.”
Taking some time to get the offense started, Covington broke the ice in the eighth minute. From near the top of the 18-yard box, she sent the eventual game-winning goal into the back of the net.
Richmond’s next two goals came in the 10th minute, just 46 seconds apart. Both scoring from distance were Chavez and Gonzalez.
Chavez’s 25-yard strike rolled under the keeper’s hands to make it 2-0, and Gonzalez sent a blast into the left corner for the three-goal lead, also from about 25 yards.
Drumwright was the next Lady Raider to score, which she did in the 13th minute to pad the lead to 4-0. Taking a shot from the top left corner of the 18-yard box, Drumwright sent it past the keeper in the bottom left corner.
The first of Gomez’s two first-half goals was assisted by Covington, who made a run down the left sideline. On the cross, Gomez connected for the goal inside the box.
Leading 5-0 in the 28th minute, Peele made it 6-0 a minute later. She sent a blast in from 15 yards out.
Richmond’s final goal of the first half was Gomez’s second score, this time assisted by Peele. On an attack, Peele sent the ball into the box and Gomez collected a deflection to knock it past the keeper in the 32nd minute.
Starting the second half with the intention to end the match quickly, Gonzalez and Gazoo went to work.
Gonzalez scored her second goal in the opening minute when she found the back of the net from 20 yards to the right corner of the goal.
Gazoo, who has scored the final goals in Richmond’s last two matches, also hit twine from distance. Sending a rocket in from 25 yards, Gazoo ended the match in the 42nd minute.
The Lady Raiders (2-1) cap their three-match week Friday at home against non-conference Purnell Swett High School (1-0). The match will start at 7 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Scoring and game details provided by head coach Chris Larsen and Brad Denson.
The Richmond junior varsity soccer team didn’t play Wednesday.
