WILMINGTON — Even though the Richmond Senior High School girls’ soccer team exited the state playoffs in the first round Monday, head coach Chris Larsen called the 2025 season a success.
Competing in the opening round of the NCHSAA 4A East state playoffs, the No. 32 Lady Raiders lost 9-0 to No. 1 John T. Hoggard High School.
The Lady Vikings scored seven goals in the first half, before adding their final two goals in the second half. The game ended with roughly 20 minutes remaining due to the mercy rule.
“There is a reason they’re 20-1, they’re a really good team,” head coach Chris Larsen said. “We were simply outmatched and they had ample speed across the top. Going into it, we kind of knew it was going to be more of a learning experience for us to see soccer at different level and see a team do what we’re trying to accomplish.
“The girls played well at times, especially when we were able to connect some passes,” he added. “This is a tough way for our seniors to go out, but it’s encouraging for our underclassmen coming back to see what we’ve got to do to step it up.”
Sophomore Colbie Covington had the team’s lone shot in the loss, a shot from distance that was stopped. Larsen said the team had “three or four chances to form an attack,” but that the Hoggard defense “switched the point of attack really well” to slow Richmond down.
Weather conditions, Larsen said, played a part in a couple of goals that he thought Richmond’s defense would have otherwise stopped or cleared.
The No. 32 Lady Raiders finished the season with an 8-12-3 overall record, including a 5-7 record against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents. Richmond finished fifth overall in the SAC and was the second-place 4A team.
Leading the team in goals this spring was senior Ashly Gonzalez and her nine tallies. Netting eight goals was sophomore Mariana Gonzalez and Covington scored seven goals. Junior Jentry Denson rounded out the top scorers with four goals.
The Lady Raiders averaged 1.91 goal per match this season, while allowing 1.87 goal against per match.
“We didn’t win as many ball games as we would have liked, but outside of tonight, every game was tight,” Larsen commented. “I’m really proud of this group of girls for doing that and I’m happy with the way the team competed this season.
“A bounce here or there, we may have picked up three or four more wins. I told the girls I don’t judge a season off of wins and losses. I judge it based on how competitive we are and the girls as a group exceeded my expectations. It was a team effort all season.
“Our returning group on defense and in goal did a phenomenal job and were role players all season,” he closed. “This is one of the best seasons I can remember in not allowing that many goals. That’s a credit to our back line and the work they’ve put in the last few years. We’ve got a good group of returners next year in a new classification and new conference.”
Released earlier Monday by Dr. Chad Hill was the 2025 All-Sandhills Athletic Conference girls’ soccer team. Senior Sa’Quanna Bostic was named Goalkeeper of the Year, earning the crown for herself after splitting it last season.
Senior center back Samantha Barnes was chosen to the All-Conference team for the second straight season, while fellow senior center back Ava Thompson made her first postseason roster.
