Raymond Roadrunners soccer comeback effort falls short against Durham

By Matt Pascarella

The Raymond Roadrunners came back from a 3-1 deficit to force a 3-3 tie, but a late goal gave Durham the victory during a middle school soccer game on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond.

Raymond seventh-grader Niko Powers keeps his focus as he
takes the all to the goal during a coed middle school soccer 
game against Durham at Jordan-Small Middle School on
Tuesday, Oct. 11. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
 

The coed Roadrunners squad played this game a little different than the traditional two halves; instead, they played three periods. The teams were scoreless after one period and Raymond was up 1-0 after two periods of play.

In the third period, Durham jumped out to a 3-1 lead. Raymond was quick to tie it. Eventually Durham went ahead 4-3 with just a few minutes left.

“I think we played really well,” said Jordan-Small seventh-grader Sean Lebel, who scored two of Raymond’s three goals. “I think just playing in the midfield and being able to get a stop before it went on to [Durham’s] side [went well].”

Lebel said compared to the first time they played Durham earlier in the season, Raymond had a better offense and defense in this game.

The match began with very high energy from both sides. The first period was a match of two very strong offensives and even stronger defenses. For the first 30 minutes neither team was able to score.

In the second period, Raymond defense remained tight with excellent hustle which stopped Durham from possible scoring opportunities. On a Raymond corner kick, seventh-grader Sabri Igiraneza was there to knock the ball past the Durham goalie giving Raymond a 1-0 lead.

Raymond seventh-grader Brooklyn Roi said she thought the game went well. Durham is tough team, but Raymond scored several good goals. Roi said that Raymond played much better game against Durham this time than previously. Roi said passing and improved communication on the field really helped Raymond; they were also aggressive and communicated with lots of crosses and passes.

Durham made up for lost time when they tied the game from a corner kick early in the third period. Durham took a 2-1 lead after another goal.

Lebel then scored to close the gap. Raymond kept up the intensity and Lebel scored again a few moments later when he kicked the ball from the top of the penalty area and it flew right over the goalie’s head and tied the game at 3-3.

Raymond fought hard during the remaining time, but Durham was able to score again with less than three minutes left and held onto the lead as the clock ran out.

“Our defense is playing way better than they have been,” said Raymond Roadrunners soccer coach Scott Allen. “Some of our starters getting after it, hustling; we were down 3-1 and ... they weren’t afraid to come back. The season has been great – our only loss has been to Durham. It’s rough, but it was a close one. We’ll get them next time.” <