ROCKINGHAM - The wins continue to roll in for the Richmond Senior High School varsity soccer team.
Head coach Chris Larsen’s Raiders notched seven goals against Scotland High School Thursday, as they shutout the Fighting Scots 7-0. The win marked Richmond’s sixth-straight victory, and its third shutout during the current winning streak. The Raiders used a hat trick by senior forward Alexis Gonzalez and four other goal scorers to remain in the top tier of the Sandhills Athletic Conference standings.
The game was played earlier than normal due to Scotland’s football homecoming later Thursday, and Richmond took advantage of the Fighting Scots’ distraction, netting four goals in the opening 40 minutes of play. Gonzalez bookended the first-half scoring with his first and second goals in the fourth and 37th minutes, respectively, while senior Carlos Alcocer (19th minute) and junior Steven Morales (23rd minute) added the middle goals.
“Alexis started the year out kind of slow because he was focusing on distributing the ball over the field and controlling the pace of the game,” Larsen said of his leading goal scorer. “As the year has progressed, he and the rest of the guys have figured out the time in which we can push forward and have more opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. As with any sport, the more game-like situations and experience you have will help the chemistry of the team and creating more opportunities to score.
“Most of them have had opportunities throughout the year to score, but we have finally become better at putting the ball in the back of the net,” he added of the wealth of scoring. “It is always promising when you see multiple guys score because that indicates team play, and whether you’re a starter or a guy off the bench, if you can benefit the team at any point, that’s great.”
The second half of play was much of the same, as the Raiders continued to dominate ball control and were rewarded with several scoring opportunities. Junior Luke Hawks opened the second-half scoring, and was complemented by Cole Deane’s goal (75th minute) and Gonzalez’s final tally (77th minute).
The Richmond defense, led by seniors Nolan Allen and Evan Hudson, as well as junior Drew Davis, has played its best soccer over the last six-game stretch. Senior goalkeeper Jackson Haley hasn’t had to defend too many shots on net because of the wall of guys in front of him, and Larsen took note of the defense heating up as the Raiders’ season cools down.
“The guys have played solid defense all year,” Larsen noted. “They have worked on communication and have gotten accustomed to when and where each other is in different situations, which has helped them be able to keep opponents out of the goal.
“The experience of having those seniors in the back, and Jackson in the goal, has been a solid line keeping opponents from scoring many goals.”
Richmond will look to keep the winning vibes going, as it will end its regular season Monday against Lumberton High School at home. The Raiders are looking to make it back the the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs after missing out last year, and won’t get the opportunity to pick up extra wins because of the cancelation of the SAC tournament due to the hurricanes.
“One of the biggest games of the year is Monday -- it’s a chance to tie for second place in the conference, which is an increase from fifth-place last season,” Larsen explained of possibly catching Hoke County High School. “A win could earn or keep a playoff berth. There is no way of figuring out our chances of making the state playoffs for teams in our position, but a win can only help our chances.
“We have played a difficult non-conference schedule in Porter Ridge (eighth in 4A and first in its conference), Terry Sanford (13th in 3A and first in its conference), Pine Forest (second in its conference) and Lee County high schools (second in its conference),” he added. “It was the hope that it would benefit us in conference play and preparation for the playoffs. I believe it has in keeping us in close ball games throughout the year, pulling us to victories in tough conference matchups, as well as been a factor in the winning streak that we are currently on.”
Larsen concluded by saying that at this point of the year, his team can only focus on Monday’s match. Richmond defeated Lumberton one the road during its senior night in “a well-played soccer match” earlier this week, so Larsen said the Raiders know the Pirates are going to bring a fight in the season finale.
The varsity game will begin at 7 p.m. at Richmond Senior High School.
