RICHMOND — Playing its third game in four days had little effect on the Richmond boys soccer team which came on strong in the second half Monday against rival Greenville.
The Bobcats carried play over the final 40 minutes, getting a pair of goals to put the cap on a 3-0 victory, its third of the season.
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Freshman Brendan Emmons scored two goals while Cody Tribbet, another freshman, scored the other goal. Both players have older brothers on the team.
“It’s going to take a little bit for me to get fully used to it,” Emmons said of the physical aspect of varsity soccer. “But it’s coming on.”
The visiting Lakers knocked off unbeaten Richmond last season in the playoffs before going on to lose 1-0 to Bangor Christian in the Class D state championship game, but most of that team has graduated, including Henry Hersey and Tristan Richards who combined for 65 goals last season. Monday, they managed just six shots on goal to Richmond’s 19.
“These guys haven’t really played together, other than five of them,” Greenville coach Jeff Richards said. “It’s going to take a while.”
Richmond graduated just two seniors, but the players are still acclimating to new roles. Coach Joe Scribellito started three freshmen Monday and moved his players around throughout the game. One of the strengths of his team this season is its versatility.
“I think in time we’ll be strong,” said Dustin Sullivan, Richmond’s senior goalkeeper. “We’re still trying to get the physical aspect of it.”
Sullivan (six saves) made the game’s first big play when he stopped Matt DiAngelo’s penalty kick five minutes into the game. As DiAngelo lined up his shot, Sullivan took two quick short steps to his right, then dove to his left to smother the attempt.
“I call it double clutching,” Sullivan said. “I learned when I was young that right is left and left is right.”
The save energized the Bobcats, who gradually become more aggressive in challenging 50/50 balls.
“Nerves play a big part in a rivalry game,” Scribellito said. “Our defense was nervous to begin the game, but then we settled down. In the second half, we started to move the ball on the ground.”
Emmons scored late in the first half with a short-angled kick that beat Lakers keeper Evan Sullivan (15 saves) to the far left corner. Tribbet made it 2-0 15 minutes into the second half, when he collected a long goal kick from Sullivan, split two defenders and fired a shot into the left corner of the goal.
Emmons capped the scoring after taking a short back pass from Nate Tribbet and drilling a shot into the left side. The Tribbet brothers played well as did Emmons and his older brother Cameron along with midfielder Mike Stewart and defender Tyler Soucy.
Gary Hawkins — 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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