LAURINBURG — The Fighting Scots soccer team had an unconventional Senior Night on Wednesday. Hurricane Matthew short circuited the team’s sound system so the announcer had to yell out the players names, favorite memories and future plans at the crowd.

The nine Fighting Scots seniors — Negie Babor, Dawson Chavis, Tre’vion Deviner, Shane Dobbs, Isaiah Fields, Daniel Johnson, Levon McNeill, Eurie Smith and McKenzie White — walked onto the field with their parents, shook hands with Coach Gallagher and lined up for a round of applause from the crowd.

Once the festivities concluded the team went into their signature pre-game routine of junior Nyjel Collins-Jackson chasing one of the young soccer fans into the huddle before starting their “Oh Yeah” chant.

The game was a stalemate through the first 40 minutes with neither team putting any points on the board. In Richmond’s case it was because Scots goalie Amanye Robinson was a wall keeping out anything and everything that came his way. The Fighting Scots offense had their chances to take the lead in the first half, but kept kicking the ball right at the Raiders goalie.

The Raiders didn’t waste anytime following halftime, scoring in the first 30 seconds of the second half to take a 1-0 lead. The Fighting Scots responded two minutes later with a goal by junior Tripp Wells to tie the game 1-1. The Scots celebration was short-lived though, as the Raiders drove down the field and scored their second goal less than 30 seconds later. The goal gave Richmond a 2-1 lead.

A push call on the Scots McKenzie White resulted in a penalty kick for Richmond, which allowed them to increase their lead, 3-1. The Scots had an opportunity to close the gap with a free kick following a Richmond penalty, but again they aimed the ball right at the Raiders goalie, who picked up the save.

The struggles continued for the Fighting Scots as Richmond drove down the pitch again to score their fourth goal of the night at the 69 minute mark. Robinson, the Scots goalie, was doing everything he could to keep the Raiders out of the goal, but his defense was crowding the box making it hard for him to get into good position.

The Scots continued to miss scoring opportunities throughout the rest of the game, which resulted in a 4-1 loss to Richmond. With the loss the Fighting Scots move to 6-7-2 overall and 3-4 in SEC play.

The team has their final three SEC games next week. The Scots will host Pinecrest on Oct. 24, Hoke County on Oct. 26 before traveling to Lumberton on Oct. 27. All games will start at 5:15 p.m. Without a conference tournament, the Scots won’t know if their record is good enough to earn them a playoff berth until Nov. 3. The first round of soccer playoffs kicks off Saturday, Nov. 5.

Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.

Amber Hatten|Laurinburg Exchange The Fighting Scots soccer team celebrated their nine seniors on Wednesday evening. Pictured above, back row, from left, Scots coach Danny Gallagher, McKenzie White, Isaiah Fields, Levon McNeill, Eurie Smith, Shane Dobbs, Tre’vion Deviner and assistant coach David Write. Front row, from left, Negie Barbor, Daniel Johnson and Dawson Chavis.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_084.jpgAmber Hatten|Laurinburg Exchange The Fighting Scots soccer team celebrated their nine seniors on Wednesday evening. Pictured above, back row, from left, Scots coach Danny Gallagher, McKenzie White, Isaiah Fields, Levon McNeill, Eurie Smith, Shane Dobbs, Tre’vion Deviner and assistant coach David Write. Front row, from left, Negie Barbor, Daniel Johnson and Dawson Chavis.

Amber Hatten|Laurinburg Exchange Scots midfielder Donovan O’Donnell fights to keep control of the ball against a Richmond player during Wednesday night’s game. The Scots dropped their second straight game to Richmond 4-1.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_038.jpgAmber Hatten|Laurinburg Exchange Scots midfielder Donovan O’Donnell fights to keep control of the ball against a Richmond player during Wednesday night’s game. The Scots dropped their second straight game to Richmond 4-1.

Amber Hatten|Laurinburg Exchange Scots senior Levon McNeill drives to midfield with the ball during Wednesday’s game against Richmond. The Fighting Scots celebrated nine seniors before the start of the game. The Scots dropped their second game in Richmond, 4-1.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_045.jpgAmber Hatten|Laurinburg Exchange Scots senior Levon McNeill drives to midfield with the ball during Wednesday’s game against Richmond. The Fighting Scots celebrated nine seniors before the start of the game. The Scots dropped their second game in Richmond, 4-1.
Fall to Richmond

By Amber Hatten

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