Early ‘learning curve’ leads to shutout loss to Independence

ROCKINGHAM — The only way to get better is to play quality teams — that was Chris Larsen’s message to the Richmond Senior High School boys’ soccer team Wednesday.

Playing on their home pitch for the first time this season, the Raiders weren’t able to notch their second win in as many tries to start the new slate.

Hosting non-conference Independence High School, Richmond fell by a final score of 4-0.

The Patriots scored two goals in the first half, just 16 seconds apart, in the 13th and 14th minutes. Richmond’s 2-0 deficit would carry over until halftime.

“Even though we lost, I told the guys I’m pleased with the way we played,” Larsen said. “There were improvements tonight and we’re adjusting to a new formation that we’re trying this year based on the talent of the players. It’s a learning curve we’re trying to get better at early in the season.

“Playing quality competition only makes us better and will hopefully prepare us for conference play. If we didn’t make those two mistakes in the first half, I think we could have kept it 0-0 at the half, which changes our mentality in the second half.

“Quality teams like Independence capitalize on mistakes, and that’s what they did tonight,” he added. “We’re hopefully going to learn from this game and watch what Independence did, which is what we’re trying to do.”

Some of the things Larsen said that the Raiders improved upon were the “shape of our formation” and “getting our timing down on runs.”

Independence netted a goal in the 61st minute to extend its lead to 3-0. Following that tally, senior goalkeeper Adrian Padron was subbed out and junior Camden Williams played the remainder of the match.

Williams allowed a goal in the 73rd minute, the final score of the game. Padron and Williams combined to make 15 saves against the Patriots. Richmond had three shots in the loss.

“We went 1-1 to start the season, which is good, but we have a challenging schedule next week,” Larsen closed. “I tell the guys that if they want to be one of the better teams, they have to play the better teams.

“I can see growth already from some of the guys from last year to this year. Hopefully we continue that upward trend and by the time we reach conference play, we’ll be firing on all cylinders and can be one of the top three teams.”

Richmond (1-1) has a three-match week next week, starting at non-conference Sun Valley High School Monday. The match against the Spartans is set for 7 p.m.

JV Raiders also shut out by Independence

The Richmond junior varsity boys’ soccer team lost 2-0 to Independence Wednesday, the team’s first loss of the season.

Trailing by a goal at halftime, the JV Raiders surrendered another goal midway through the final 35 minutes. Head coach Bennie Howard said all three goalkeepers got minutes between the posts.

“We made two mistakes in the back tonight that cost us goals,” Howard said. “One we weren’t able to get the ball out fast enough and the other one was because the keeper came off his line.

“It was a learning experience. We’ll take the next two days at practice to work things out. But I was pleased with the way the team played a much better second half.”

Also traveling to Sun Valley Monday, the JV Raiders (1-1) will start their non-conference match at 5:30 p.m.

Sports editor’s note: The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Wednesday’s home opener soon.