It wasn’t like the Richmond High School boys soccer team didn’t have opportunities. The shots were 27-5. Possession, territorial advantage. Both were dominated by the Bobcats.

Still, over 50 minutes into Wednesday’s home debut, Richmond was locked in a scoreless battle with Pine Tree Academy of Freeport, knowing that one mistake may just cost the Bobcats.

Fear not, as Cody Tribbet put home a rebound of a solid cross from Tyler Soucy, followed six minutes later by a goal from Brendan Emmons in a 2-0 win.

The victory gives Richmond a 2-0 mark, with a home date with Vinalhaven slated for Friday (1 p.m.), followed by a Saturday excursion to rival Greenville (3 p.m.).

“It is a successful start, and it says a lot about these kids,” said Richmond coach Peter Gardner. “They have been willing to do some things, passing the ball, even sometimes too much. We should be making four or five passes, then get the shot. Sometimes we are making that extra pass, but it will come. I am pleased with the effort.”

Scoreless

From the outset, Richmond controlled possession, with only Pine Tree Academy forwards Felipe Alvarez and Andrew Alvarez giving the Bobcat defensive foursome of Soucy, Mike Stewart, Bailey Johansen and Nathan Kendrick reason to worry.

On the other end, the Bobcats fired eight shots toward the Breakers’ goal, with netminder Ryan Pierce of Topsham making four first-half saves.

“They brought it pretty heavy, and I just did the best that I could,” said Pierce, who had 15 saves in defeat. “We were surprised compared to the last time we played them, when they were up three last year at the half. We felt good at the half. Playing them, knowing that we held them off some, makes us feel pretty good as we move forward.”

Pine Tree Academy’s best chance to get on the scoreboard came late in the first half. Twice, Richmond goaltender Zach Small (three saves), a first-year goaltender asked to fill a new role, was whistled for playing the ball illegally, giving the Breakers a pair of indirect kicks from inside the penalty area. However, the Richmond defense stood tall, keeping Pine Tree Academy from getting a good look at the Bobcat goal.

“We made some quick decisions, played smart and were able to move the ball out of there,” said Tribbet.

At halftime, Gardner changed things up.

“We changed our formation in the second half, going with three strikers up front instead of two, and that gave us more options to attack,” said Tribbet.

The move worked as Richmond began generating even move offense. Pierce stopped Cameron Emmons in close, bobbling the shot before his defense was able to clear the ball out of danger.

Moments later, Soucy found some room along the sideline, chipping a shot that glanced off the crossbar. Tribbet cleaned up the rebound, beating the diving Pierce for a 1-0 lead with 29:23 left in regulation.

“I knew Tyler’s cross was going to be close, so I just went to the goal and put it in,” said Tribbet.

Richmond, which held a 4-0 edge in corner kicks, upped its advantage when Brendan Emmons curled a corner kick into the goal with 23:12 remaining.

“Because we were possessing the ball, something we need, we were able to recognize what (Pine Tree) was trying to do,” said Gardner, whose squad outshot Pine Tree Academy 19-3 in the second half. “Once we opened up a little bit more, scored a goal or two, it made a big difference. We tried to get more space going, something that almost cost us. Sometimes are backers get a little bit impatient, and that can hurt us.”

The Breakers tried to attack the Richmond defense, with Andrew Alvarez and Jakub Krzywon missing the target.

Playing well for Richmond were Nate Vintinner, Logan Anair, Matt Rines and Curtis Anderson.

Richmond 2,
Pine Tree Academy 0

At Richmond
Pine Tree — 0 0 — 0
Richmond — 0 2 — 2
Goals — (R) Cody Tribbet, Brendan Emmons.
Assist — (R) Tyler Soucy.
Shots — Richmond 27, Pine Tree 5.
Saves—(PT) Ryan Pierce 15; (R) Zach Small 3.
Corner kicks — Richmond 4, Pine Tree 0.
Records — Richmond 2-0, Pine Tree Academy 1-1-1.
Up next for the Bobcats — Friday at home against
Vinalhaven, 1 p.m.
Up next for the Breakers — Friday at Arthur Gould
School, 4 p.m.