Gonzalez heels in game-winning goal against Southern Lee

ROCKINGHAM — Evening the regular-season series, the Lady Raider soccer team picked up a crucial Sandhills Athletic Conference victory Friday.

Using a pair of second-half goals, Richmond held on to defeat Southern Lee High School 2-1.

Avenging a two-goal loss to the Lady Cavaliers earlier in the season to start conference play, the Lady Raiders benefitted from goals by senior Allie Rogers and freshman Mariana Gonzalez.

A scoreless first half made for an exciting final 40 minutes of action.

Rodgers scored the first goal of the match in the 54th minute thanks to a Southern Lee miscue.

A long shot put on frame bounced out of the keeper’s hands, and finishing the rush, Rodgers collected the ball and tapped it into an open goal from inside the six-yard box. It was her sixth goal in three matches this week.

Freshman Colbie Covington helped set up Richmond’s second goal of the night. She made a run down the right side and put a shot on frame that was deflected out of bounds for a Lady Raider corner kick.

On the ensuing set piece taken by junior Hanna Smith, the ball found its way to senior midfielder Gabby Lutz, who took a shot. The ball bounced around in traffic inside the 18-yard box before Gonzalez found it.

Facing away from the goal, Gonzalez used her heel to send a strike backward into the net in the 68th minute. It was her fourth tally of the season.

Southern Lee made it interesting with a goal in the 69th minute, just 1:15 after Gonzalez gave Richmond a two-goal lead.

Head coach Chris Larsen moved Lutz to the holding midfielder position to bolster the defense for the final 10 minutes.

Junior goalkeeper Quanna Bostic made a falling save on a close-range shot with 1:18 to play to preserve the win. In the closing seconds, a Richmond corner kick expired the clock.

Richmond (7-4-2, 3-3 SAC) will look to keep its playoff hopes alive Tuesday when it faces Pinecrest High School (5-6, 3-2 SAC) at home. Action will start at 7 p.m.

Sports editor’s note: The Richmond junior varsity girls soccer team didn’t play Friday. The JV Lady Raiders (4-1-1, 1-1-1 SAC) will welcome in Pinecrest Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.