BUCKFIELD
While Buckfield went about the business of getting warm and rehearsing two-on-one attacks against its goaltender, Richmond rolled up in its bus at 3:45 p.m. Thursday for a 4 o’clock girls’ soccer game.
The sensible conclusion was that the Bucks would corner the Bobcats before they had time to get loose and shake off the rubbery legs. Grab an early lead, perhaps, and build their case for an East-West Conference upset.
Eleven minutes and four Richmond goals later, all that logic and conventional wisdom went flying out the window. The Bobcats doubled that output to eight before halftime and coasted to a 9-0 win.
“We are habitually late, and they’ve been playing well. I thought we were in for a dogfight,” Richmond coach Troy Kendrick said. “I think it was just a matter of getting that first goal.”
And the second. And the third.
The fourth persuaded Buckfield coach Travis Magnusson to substitute for every player except the goaltender, a strategy he later repeated when the deficit ballooned to 6-0.
None of the Bucks’ combinations concocted an answer for Amber Loon, who notched a first-half hat trick, or Sadie Gosse, who dished out four assists prior to intermission.
Six different players scored for Richmond (7-0). Noell Acord deposited two goals. Gosse, Payton Johnson, Jess Anair and Kelsea Anair also found the net.
With the exception of a few first-half rushes by Naudia Wesley and some second-half solo opportunities for Bri Damon, the Bucks (4-3) couldn’t generate enough offense to keep the Bobcats on their heels.
And, Richmond exploited Buckfield’s failure to mark up its playmakers early and often. Johnson cleaned up the leftovers after a Gosse corner kick to get the Bobcats started in the fifth minute.
Acord, Loon and Gosse followed in quick succession for a 4-0 lead that matched the final score when the teams met at Richmond in the second game of the season.
“It’s always a battle of styles. They’re more direct and kick the ball around, and we like to keep possession.” Kendrick said. “Against an aggressive team on a smaller field, I thought we might be in for it, quite honestly. But, the kids really showed up to play today, bless their hearts.”
Loon landed in the right place at the right time to pick up her second and third goals.
She redirected a rebound after Kelsea Anair’s initial shot caromed off the head of a Buckfield defender. Later she headed in Gosse’s corner kick.
Richmond enjoyed a 28-6 shots on goal disparity. Kelsi Obi made three of her five saves against Damon in the second half to protect the shutout.
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