Playing her last regular season home game while celebrating her birthday, Richmond’s Bryanne Lancaster scored two goals and had an assist as the Bobcats beat Temple for the third time this season, 5-1 in East-West Conference girls high school soccer action on Wednesday. 

Temple’s Caleighann Libby (11) moves in front of Richmond’s Laura Brown as teammate Quinn Crommett (22) looks on from behind. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)

The Bobcats finished the regular season at 10-4 and sits comfortably at the No. 2 position in the Class D South Heal Point Standings, while Temple dropped to 10-3 and is scheduled to conclude the regular season against Rangeley on Tuesday. The Bereans are battling for the fourth and fifth spots in the standings. 

“We were patient, composed and did the things we needed to do to,” Richmond coach Troy Kendrick said. “We kept switching the point of attack, attacking wide, and we tried to drop the ball back and draw them out.” 

Richmond did all of that to open the game, maintaining possession for most of the first half. But either saves from Temple keeper Ella Baker or missed opportunities like a Bry Shea header or Abby Johnson shot where both went wide kept the home team off the board. 

With 9:10 on the clock, Lancaster received a Lindsie Irish pass and uncorked a rocket from 25-yards out that appeared to have deflected off a defender and bounced up over the outstretched hands of Baker for the game’s first goal. 

“We needed to catch a break and we got it when that first goal deflected off something after Bryanne cranked that shot,” Kendrick said. 

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Richmond’s Leah Wescott (7) and Temple’s Shivon Larson both battle for the ball during the first half of Wednesday girls high school soccer game at Richmond. The Bobcats beat the Bereans, 5-1. (Eric Maxim / Times Record Staff)

The score remained 1-0 at the half as Richmond took all five shots and had seven corner kicks. 

Bobcats pull away 

After defeating Temple 11-2 earlier in the season and 3-0 last week, Kendrick knew what to expect from the Bereans. 

“We beat them earlier in the season, which was a long time ago, and just again last week. We knew that if you put a lot of people in the box, it’s tough to penetrate,” Kendrick said about only having one goal in the first 40 minutes. 

Less than three minutes into the frame, a Temple infraction inside the box gave Lancaster a penalty kick opportunity. The senior drove the ball to the lower right-hand corner for the score. 

I think we are always trying to get that insurance goal and it usually relaxes everyone,” Lancaster said. “I think once we made it, we calmed down and we were like this is our game and we know what we need to do. 

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Richmond’s Lindsie Irish (11) chases down Temple’s Brianna Hubbard during Wednesday girls high school soccer game at Richmond. The Bobcats beat the Bereans, 5-1. (Eric Maxim / Times Record Staff)

They sure did know what to do. Leah Wescott and Laura Brown added goals over the next 15 minutes to extend the Richmond lead to 4-0. Wescott’s goal came after the junior footed a loose ball following a throwin that slipped by Baker.  

Brown’s goal came after a free kick was awarded to Richmond 25-yards out where Lancaster legged it on goal, only to have it bounce off the Temple keeper where Brown then tucked it in to the back of the net. 

Rylie Irish capped the home team scoring with eight minutes remaining after she moved back to her position after filling in on the wing. 

I got moved up to the left wing which was a little weird for me because I don’t normally play there, I play the mid,” the senior said. “When I moved back, I knew I had to play up and show this is where I need to be. I was aggressive, saw the loose ball and scored.” 

The Bereans scored their lone goal after a Hannah Hubbard shot was mishandled and slipped over the line for the score behind Richmond goalie Liz Johnson. 

Temple managed only two shots on goal, as playing with only one player on the bench, the visitors were unable to put any pressure on the Richmond defense. 

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It’s a big deal when the team is out there building a bunker and you get them a little behind, you get them chasing a little bit,” Kendrick said about his defense. “I noticed (Temple) was coming up a little more in the second half and that opened it up for us.” 

With the regular season now behind them, the Bobcats will focus on the postseason. 

Now it’s tourney time. It’s nice to get a win because last year we didn’t. Going in with a win keeps that fire going. We don’t want to stop anytime soon,” Lancaster said. 

We talked about this about this being a springboard to the postseason,” added Kendrick. “It’s now time to focus ahead.” 

Richmond’s Bry Shea works the ball past Temple’s Caleighann Libby during the second half of Wednesday girls high school soccer game at Richmond. The Bobcats beat the Bereans, 5-1. (Eric Maxim / Times Record Staff)

With no more regular season home games for the four Richmond seniors — captains Lancaster, Lindsie Irish, Rylie Irish and Johnson — Kendrick not only appreciates what they do on the field, but how they conduct themselves as young adults. 

They have all been three-year players for us. They work hard, never say boo and never miss a practice and I am going to miss them,” Kendrick said. “They have developed into solid players, but it’s the positive vibes they give us that is going to be missed the most. they’re good kids. They’re great people. 

For both Rylie Irish and Lancaster, it’s time to put it all that closeness together for a playoff run. 

We’ve all clicked and have played together since middle school. When we’re on the field, we know each other’s skills,” Rylie Irish said. “I know that Bryanne has my back, I know Abby has my back, I know Lindsie does and they all know I have their backs. It’s makes my heart happy just know that we have a good group of girls and always support each other no matter what happens. 

We’ve grown so much over the years. We see each other all over the field and we know what we can do with the ball, we’re close,” Lancaster added. 

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