RICHMOND

It was all very, very simple.

The Richmond High School boys soccer team, with some urging from the coaching staff, went back to the basics.

Back to old school soccer. And, just win, baby!

And so, the second-seeded Bobcats survived an early Vinalhaven (6-7) scare and crafted together a 4-0 Western Maine Class D boys quarterfinal win on Wednesday.

The Bobcats improved to 11-2-2 and got goals from Nate Tribbett (2), his brother Cody and Brendon Emmons.

Keeping the ball on the ground, looking for an open player, and hustling throughout with a relentless attack, the Bobcats took control after a five-minute Vinalhaven rush and never looked back.

It was very simple, said head coach Joe Scribellito.

“That’s the key … if we can continue to do that: keep the ball on the ground, move off the ball. And that’s what we talked about at halftime.

“We also had a great scrimmage with St. Dom’s on Monday and that helped with our confidence, too. That was just fun because both teams played hard soccer … it was like the old days with the rivalry. Even though we weren’t keeping track of the score, the kids played so hard. It was a confidence builder.”

With some speed up front (Zeb Campbell, Dalton Hornby) the seventh-seeded Vikings came out flying to open the game.

Just a minute in, the two hooked up on a corner kick that caused some problems for goaltender Dustin Sullivan and his defense. And Sullivan made a key save on an Avery Waterman offering.

Just heating up

Meanwhile, the Bobcats were just starting to heat up, and Emmons and Cody Tribbett made some nice runs with the latter punching in a shot by beating a defender with eight minutes gone.

The Bobcats kept coming and the Vikings defense was all over the place, although Sullivan once again had to make a leaping save in traffic on a Campbell corner.

Cody Tribbett had several great opportunities, i.e., over the crossbar a couple of times and was robbed along the near post by goalie Aiden Emerson.

On another foray by Brady Johnson, the ball sailed over to Nate Tribbett near the 18 and to Emerson’s right. Score! With 22 minutes, gone the Bobcats led 2- 0.

Richmond’s Jon Simmons had the ball near the goal line to a fallen Emerson’s left, but his touch shot dribbled just wide of the far post with no defender nearby.

With 30 minutes gone, Cody Tribbett set up Emmons, who nailed the far post as Richmond outshot the Vikings 14-4.

And, the second half ? Much the same story as the Vikings tried to pack in their defense and the Bobcats let loose with shot after shot.

However, mis-steps, misshifts, and miscommunications kept the scoring down in the second half as Nate Tribbett with here, there and every: over the crossbar and left of the post from 18 yards out before setting up his brother, who also went high from 10 yards away.

Vinalhaven defenders Austin Christiansen, Hunter Smith, Lewis Cray, Campbell and Ethan Mao were nonstop and held the fort until with 10 minutes left, Cody Tribbett sailed down the right wing and had the ball near the end line where he sent a centering pass to his brother for the final score.

“They recognize what we’re trying to do,” said Scribellito. “In the long run it will be the consistency: just pass the ball and let the ball do the work for you.”

“We just wanted to put the ball on the ground and score some goals,” said Nate Tribbett. “We had some interference with them before, and some fights, so we just kept our mouths shut. Focus on our game.

“And, they always put up a fight. It’s been a good season with me and my brother up from playing striker. We like to get those assists and score for each other … it’s been pretty neat.”

Richmond is scheduled to take on No. 3 Chop Point (9- 2) Friday in semifinal play.