PEMBROKE — It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but Richmond Senior coach Bennie Howard will take it.
Richmond scored both of its goals in the first 40 minutes in a 2-0 Southeastern Conference victory over Purnell Swett Monday evening. The Raiders are now 10-2 on the season and 6-1 in league play.
“A ‘W’ is a ‘W,’” Howard said. “I didn’t like the way we got it.”
Manuel Zapata and Carlos Alcocer netted the goals for the Raiders. Howard said Richmond had 32 shots on goal, but “couldn’t score.”
“We didn’t play well,” Howard said. “Hats off to Swett, they were more energetic than we were in the first half. We played calmer in the second half.”
Richmond will return to action 7 p.m. Wednesday when it travels to Lumberton. Howard said there are some things the team will need to work on before facing the Pirates. Earlier this season, Richmond knocked off Lumberton 3-0.
“We didn’t play as a team tonight, but as a team of individuals,” Howard said. “You aren’t going to have success playing like that. We will talk about it at practice tomorrow and look to get ready for Lumberton. It is always tough playing at Lumberton.”
Pirates sweep Raiders
LUMBERTON — In its final tuneup before the start of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Richmond Senior was knocked off by Lumberton 8-1 Monday afternoon.
The match was originally set for Oct. 1, but was postponed because of rain.
Abby Kinlaw edged Kathrin Reister 7-5, 7-5 at No. 1. In the second singles match, Abigail Cain downed Kenzie Ransom 6-1, 6-1. Kaylynn Leggette stopped Destiny Buie 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3. Summer Martin blanked Jayana Nicholson 6-0, 6-0. Lane Hickman knocked off Allie Hammond 6-2, 6-1. Haley Biggins defeated Emily Duckworth 6-0, 6-0.
In doubles, Richmond (4-7 overall, 4-6 in the SEC) earned the No. 1 doubles match by forfeit. Lumberton won the other two, 8-0 and 8-2. The team of Hickman and Leggette downed Faith Baxley and Hammond at No. 2. Biggins and Martin combined to beat Caela Goins and Nicholson in the final doubles contest.
“We had some good points, but Lumberton was better today,” Richmond coach Allie Goodman said. “I wanted everyone who came out to play since we are playing all those people in the tournament, hence why the doubles lineup looks a little different.”
All six of the SEC schools will participate in the conference tournament beginning today in Lumberton.
Richmond finishes fourth
PINEHURST — The Richmond Senior golf team took fourth in the final Southeastern Conference match of the season, but had one player advance to next week’s 4A Central Regional.
Cassie McFayden was the lone Richmond player to qualify for the 4A Central Regional tournament Oct. 19 at Pinehurst No. 1. McFayden also earned all-conference honors.
In the final meet at Pinehurst No. 5, Pinecrest shot a 329 to take first. Purnell Swett was second at 395, followed by Hoke at 401. Richmond finished with a 412. Scotland carded a 437 and Lumberton had a 454.
Individually for the Raiders, McFayden shot a 90. Dakota Stevens fired a 103 and Natalie Davis had a 108. Mckenzie Henson and Kylie McDonald both carded a 111. Megan Davis had a 117.
Richmond girls take second
LAURINBURG — The Richmond Senior girls cross country team finished second Saturday morning in the Scotland County High School Invitational at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg.
Union Pines captured the girls title with 25 points, Richmond had 33 and Lumberton was third with 68.
Cameron Hudson was Richmond’s top finisher, taking fourth with a time of 23:55. The Raiders claimed the fourth through seventh positions. Harmony Jones was fifth, Summer Moore took sixth and Emma Stogner finished seventh.
In the boys meet, Union Pines won the championship with 18 points. Scotland was second at 48, Richmond took third with 73 points and Lumberton was fourth with 87.
Zac Paul finished 10th to lead the way for Richmond in a time of 20:02. Christopher Richardson finished 11th.
Richmond’s cross country teams are slated to return to action today when they travel to Robeson County to face Purnell Swett and Pinecrest in the final regular-season meet. The conference meet is scheduled for Oct. 20 in Southern Pines.
Reach managing editor Shawn Stinson at 910-817-2671 and follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.
The Richmond Senior girls cross country team celebrates its second-place finish this weekend.