ASHEBORO — A string of tough non-conference matches to start the season continued Monday for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ soccer team, which held its own against another quality opponent.
Facing Uwharrie Charter Academy at the ZooCity Sportsplex, the Lady Raiders erased three one-goal deficits to draw even with the Lady Eagles 3-3.
No overtime period period(s) took place due to the match being a non-conference contest.
All three of Richmond’s goals were scored in the second half. Finding the back of the net, in order of scoring, were junior Mariana Gonzalez, freshman Kaylea Peele and junior Colbie Covington.
Head coach Chris Larsen noted the Lady Raiders played “an uncharacteristic first half” before turning on the scoring switch in the final 40 minutes.
“Tonight was a really good non-conference match, which was similar to our meeting with (Uwharrie Charter) last year,” Larsen said. “We started slow and had to take a handful of minutes to adjust to playing on a wider fielder than we are used to.
“We used that extra space well at times, but we didn’t close down the middle of the field like we should have and we allowed two goals from distance because of that.
“At halftime we corrected some things and the girls played a much better second half,” Larsen continued. “The main adjustment was the girls’ energy. When we tied it up the first time, that gave us a momentum boost. I thought we controlled the ball and the scoring chances the rest of the game.”
Uwharrie Charter scored the only goal of the first half to take a 1-0 lead. Richmond got on the board in the 49th minute following a foul in the box. Gonzalez took the penalty kick and whizzed it past the keeper to knot the score.
Junior goalkeeper Kenley Smith made a diving save in the 62nd minute to keep the game tied, but a second-chance opportunity from distance put the Lady Eagles up 2-1.
Charging back by using its speed, Richmond used the feet of Gonzalez and Peele to tie the game five minutes later.
Peele made a run down the sideline and was threaded a pass from Gonzalez. From the top left corner of the 18-yard box, Peele sent a strike to the back post to make it 2-2.
In a flurry of scoring, Uwharrie Charter used the space in the middle of the field to score from distance again and retake a 3-2 less than two minutes after Peele’s tally.
Richmond’s final score came in the 76th minute when Covington won a goal kick out of the air. Taking a touch, she ripped the tying goal from 35 yards out and into the back of the net.
“Having good games against Purnell Swett (Friday) and tonight are going to pay dividends for us,” Larsen closed. “We’re getting lots of growing minutes on a really young team, and having to fight through adversity will make us better.
“I’m proud of the girls for being able to fight back for the tie. Hopefully we can use this to spur us in the right direction for our match Wednesday.”
The Lady Raiders (2-2-1) return to Rockingham for their lone home match this week Wednesday. They’ll host non-conference Central Academy of Technology and Arts (2-2) for a varsity-only match at 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: The junior varsity girls’ soccer team didn’t play Monday and will return to action Friday. Stats and game information provided by head coach Chris Larsen and Brad Denson.
