Lady Raiders blank Pine Forest ahead of break

ROCKINGHAM — Returning to the pitch for the first time in over a week, the Richmond Senior High School girls soccer team entered spring break with a win.

Field conditions held up well enough after heavy rain earlier in the week, as the Lady Raiders defeated Pine Forest High School 1-0.

The non-conference game saw Richmond use a fast start coupled with a shutout performance in goal by junior keeper Quanna Bostic.

The Lady Raiders scored their goal in the first half courtesy of senior Allie Rodgers, her team-leading eighth goal this season.

After taking the early lead, Richmond’s defense slugged out an aggressive effort by the Lady Trojans (7-2-1).

Bostic stood tall on a hard dart by Arianna Gonzalez from inside the box in the third minute to keep the game scoreless and give Richmond some energy.

Rodgers made it 1-0 in the seventh minute on an assist from Nevaeh Harris.

On a give-and-go following a throw in along the left sideline, Harris chipped the ball into the box to Rodgers. Taking a touch around a defender, Rodgers sent a low strike across the box and snuck the ball inside the right post.

Richmond had several other scoring chances in the first half, including a free kick just over the crossbar by sophomore Jentry Denson in the 25th minute.

In the closing seven minutes, Rodgers had a shot sail over the bar on a rush and the Lady Raiders sent back-to-back corner kicks near frame that were knocked away.

Junior Ava Thompson made a kick save at the buzzer to send Richmond ahead 1-0 into the half.

Pine Forest upped its intensity in the second half, but the Lady Raiders matched it to preserve the one-goal advantage.

Harris cleared a bouncing ball following a corner kick in the 55th minute and Bostic made a jumping save on a shot by Milana Fair in the 58th minute.

The Lady Raiders also had three other true opportunities to score in the second half, starting with another Denson free kick. Her strike from 30 yards was saved in the upper right corner of the goal.

Sophomore Nola O’Neal sent a shot just high and wide on a rush in the 62nd minute and junior Hanna Smith kissed the crossbar with a hard blast with 20 seconds left in regulation.

The Lady Raiders (5-3-2, 1-2 Sandhills Athletic Conference) return to the pitch after spring break with a varsity-only home match against Scotland High School (2-5-1, 0-4 SAC). That game is slated for April 9 at 6 p.m.

Sports editor’s note: The Richmond junior varsity girls’ soccer match against Pine Forest was canceled Thursday.