ROCKINGHAM — In two home matches this season, the Richmond junior varsity boys’ soccer team has held its opponents scoreless.
Wednesday’s non-conference match against Central Academy of Technology and Arts resulted in a 4-0 victory.
The JV Raiders dominated the match in all facets, keeping possession in their attacking half for the majority of the game.
Three players scored in the win, led by sophomore JaVeion Littlejohn’s two goals. Freshman Nathan Erwin and sophomore Drew McCaskill netted a goal apiece.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jake Gardner played most of the match between the posts. Playing the final 10 minutes of the shutout win was freshman keeper Eric Hicks.
“I’m glad we got back in the win column tonight,” head coach Jessi Weigman said. “Nathan’s shot was beautiful from distance and I’m glad JaVeion put two in the back of the net. And I was happy to see Drew score one after being around the net all game.
“This win will give our guys the confidence going forward and let them know they can compete with any team,” she added. “I’m seeing a lot of progress and that’s encouraging this early in the season.”
Littlejohn got the offensive pressure started in the sixth minute with a shot on goal from close range that was saved.
Erwin followed up in the seventh minute with his first goal of the season. Taking a free kick from 30 yards along the right third, Erwin scored from distance when his shot sailed into the net along the back post to make it 1-0.
Richmond used opportunities from freshman Eduardo Lalito Soriano and McCaskill to maintain possession in the danger zone.
Soriano put a free kick on net in the 19th minute and McCaskill had two chances in front, including a shot off the right post.
In the closing minute of the first half, Littlejohn scored for the first time this season. On an assist from sophomore Kerick Hairston Jr., Littlejohn redirected the ball into the goal from inside the keeper’s box.
Gardner had a quiet first half in net, making a few stops on weak rollers to the goal.
The second half was much the same for the JV Raiders, as strong offensive pressure led to two more goals.
McCaskill, who was busy in the box all match, was rewarded with his first goal of the season in the 51st minute.
Making a run into the 18-yard box, McCaskill deked a defender and beat the keeper 1v1 with a low roller to the right side to make it 3-0.
In the 60th minute, Littlejohn mirrored McCaskill’s goal with a tally from close range. He scored from just outside the keeper’s box.
Hicks faced one shot and stopped it in his 10 minutes of action to preserve the shutout.
The JV Raiders (2-1) will return to action Monday at non-conference Scotland High School. The match will start at 5 p.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Wednesday’s match soon.
