ROCKINGHAM — When he made the Raiders’ non-conference schedule for this season, Richmond Senior High School boys’ soccer coach Chris Larsen knew the slate would be tough. And through three games this season, the Raiders are still looking for their first win.
At home Tuesday, Richmond hosted Porter Ridge High School in a make-up game from last week. Just like they did in their previous game against Gray’s Creek High School, the Raiders saw an early one-goal lead end in a loss. The Pirates would notch three second-half goals to earn a 3-1 road win.
Two of the three Pirates’ goals would come from one of their players, but their first goal was an own-goal by Richmond that trickled in the net on an attempted clear.
“We’ve been able to get on the board first, which is always a good thing,” Larsen said. “We got unlucky when we scored the own goal, but that happens. As the night went on, even though we conceded two more goals, our play and what we’ve been practicing got a little bit better. We’re starting to figure it out.
“We’re playing some tough competition, and I told the guys that when they make mistakes, good teams will capitalize,” he added. “That’s the downside of playing a really hard schedule. People will point out your flaws, which may be good or bad, but that gives us a chance to correct them.”
With 90 seconds left in the first half, senior midfielder Joey Nicholson would give the Raiders a 1-0 advantage. Fellow senior Luke Hawks made a pass to Nicholson in front of the net, who redirected the ball past the keeper. The Raiders would take the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Much of the second half saw the score stay the same until Richmond made the own-goal in the 62nd minute. Just over two minutes later, Porter Ridge’s Edwin Lopez ripped the game-winning shot from 30 yards out into the upper right corner just out of reach from goalkeeper Jay Ammons.
Porter Ridge’s Nathan Ladimir added an insurance goal in the 77th minute on a free kick to the upper left corner to secure the victory for the Pirates.
Although the Raiders fell to 0-3 on the young season, Larsen has seen improvements in several facets of his team’s play, including its chemistry.
“We’re doing better in the back with not stabbing at the ball,” he explained. “Our guys are standing their guys up and slowing them down. I think we’re doing a better job of not chasing, especially when teams try to spread you out on a field that’s so big. The guys and I have talked about condensing the field and making other teams work harder.
“It’s one of those things that takes time and for our chemistry to get stronger,” he continued. “I’m trying to keep their spirits high. It sucks opening 0-3, but I tell them that playing this tough competition will benefit them when we start conference play. That’s when it matters and what will help us make the state playoffs.”
Larsen announced to the team that Wednesday’s Sandhills Athletic Conference opener at home against Purnell Swett High School has been postponed to a later date due to Hurricane Dorian. Robeson County Schools will be getting out of school early Wednesday, and has canceled all after-school activities.
“Once we break into the win column, I think the morale will boost a lot,” Larsen closed. “We’re looking forward to getting to play several games a week. We had some momentum building, but it’ll pick up more next week.”
The Raiders’ next scheduled match is against Pinecrest High School on Monday, Sept. 9, at home. Varsity will start at 7 p.m.
JV Raiders earn win over Pirates
In junior varsity action, head coach Tad Hamilton’s team earned a 4-1 win over the Pirates. Scoring for Richmond in the first half were sophomores Cody Eason, Andres Sanchez and Luke Williams. Fellow sophomore Duglas Mendoza added his third goal in the last two games in the second half.
The JV Raiders improved to 2-0-1 on the year and will play Pinecrest on Sept. 9 starting at 5:15 p.m.
