Photos and Game Summary: Spiders Fight Back for Home Opener Win

There was no lack of excitement in the Robins Center last night as the Spiders clawed their way to victory in an overtime victory.

Published

4 years ago

November 9, 2019

Richard Hayes

Saint Francis (0-2,0-0 NEC): 98
Richmond (1-0,0-0 Atlantic 10): 100

Official UR Recap:

Facing a 10-point deficit with 100 seconds remaining in regulation, the Spiders chances of securing a season-opening win vs Saint Francis were slim. But Richmond used a suffocating full-court press and a pair of three-pointers to rip off a 12-2 run to end the second half and outlasted the Red Flash in overtime for a 100-98 win Friday night at the Robins Center.
A corner three by newcomer Blake Francis, a junior transfer who last played for Wagner in 2017-18, cut the deficit to seven, and a deep three-pointer by Nick Sherod, playing in his first game since tearing his ACL last November, 15 seconds later shrunk Saint Francis’ lead to five.
Freshman Tyler Burton made it a one-possession game with just under a minute left when he stole the ball at halfcourt and sprinted to the hoop for a dunk to make the score 89-86.
Following a Red Flash free throw, Jacob Gilyard cut the lead to two with a driving layup. Moments later, he intercepted a Saint Francis pass and was fouled. Gilyard’s two free throws tied the game at 90, and Richmond’s defense held Saint Francis to a wild shot on the final possession of regulation to force overtime.
Neither team could get separation in the extra period as the Spiders and Red Flash traded baskets for the first four minutes. Richmond edged ahead 99-97 on a Nathan Cayo layup with 55 seconds remaining and took a three-point lead on a Gilyard free throw with 10 seconds remaining. The Spiders intentionally sent the Red Flash to the line with just under two seconds remaining and secured the win when Gilyard dribbled out the clock following a free-throw violation by the Red Flash when Keith Braxton’s second free-throw attempt, an intentional miss, failed to hit the rim.
“I knew we had to make a run,” said Sherod of the Spiders comeback in regulation. “At that point in the game it’s not really about running any plays or about doing anything special it’s about trying to go score and playing harder than them. We had been in this situation before against VCU a couple years ago so we knew we had a chance to come back. I think we showed some maturity as a team. We knew the guys we needed to get the ball to down the stretch to score.”
Sherod finished with a game-high 27 points in his first game since tearing his left ACL against Hampton on November 25 last season, 348 days prior to Friday.
“I’m so happy for Nick,” said coach Chris Mooney. “I’ve been telling people that I thought he was better than ever and right on cue he showed that. He played a tremendous game and not only did he have 27 points but he must have had three or four really big rebounds down the stretch.”
Sherod’s eight total rebounds were tied with Grant Golden for the most on the team. Gilyard added 24 points and a team-high eight assists for the Spiders , who won their season opener for the first time since 2016.
Richmond will look for its first 2-0 start 2013 Thursday night against Vanderbilt at the Robins Center. Tip time is 7 PM and the game will be shown on NBC Sports Washington and ESPN Plus.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the co-founder of RVAHub. When he isn't rounding up neighborhood news, he's likely watching soccer or chasing down the latest and greatest board game.

PREVIEW: Kickers Face Playoff Nemesis Chattanooga

Revenge is a dish best served at City Stadium. Chattanooga knocked the Kickers out of the playoffs last year and the Kickers are looking for payback.

Published

1 day ago

June 2, 2023

Richard Hayes

Opponent: Chattanooga (2-5-2)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 3rd, 7:00 PM
Last Result: Kickers 1 – Tormenta 1

Weather Forecast From WeatherBug.com

Three Things to Kick About

Vinyals Returns – Nil Vinyals came off the bench last Saturday so barring a training setback he should be in the starting lineup. With the midfielder back in action expect the midfield to look better and hopefully more in control of the ball. In theory that control should lead to more transition into attack and more goals.
Everyone Scores – So far this year seven different Kickers have scored, with midfielder João Silva leading the pack with 3. The latest goal was a beautiful Olympico but Sukow that must be seen to be believed. Don’t whine at me that it was a cross. It goes into the books as a goal and will be celebrated as such. So far 8 goals have been produced by the midfielders and defenders. Meanwhile our forwards, you know the guys paid to put the ball in the net have racked up 4 goals.
Hot Ticket – It does my jaded heart good to see the amount of support in the stands the team is getting this year. Every game so far has had over 5,000 in attendance. This is well over the 3,500 or so we averaged last year. I’m not sure what switch flipped in the community but I’m glad to see it happen. The drawback is longer lines for food and drink but the Kickers are addressing that with more trucks. If you’re looking for a drink don’t forget there are multiple beer stations you don’t have to go straight for the building in the center of the concourse.

Prediction

The Kickers had a tremendous season last year until their first playoff game. In that game, despite being a man up for the majority of the game they ended up losing to Chattanooga by a goal. The fans, coaches and certainly the players remember the night a little too well. A win would have meant hosting the Championship Game in City Stadium, instead, it ended with a crushing defeat. Revenge will be on everyone’s mind and Chattanooga is not having a great season. The Red Wolves sit in second to last place and have a -8 goal differential. If ever there was a time for the Kickers to rack up some goals and get their scoring mojo flowing this is it. I predict it will happen.

Kickers 3 – Chattanooga 0

Community

PHOTOS & GAME SUMMARY: Kickers Back On Track With Win Over Lexington

An action filled second half made for a tense final minutes but Kickers held on for the win and three needed points.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 22, 2023

Richard Hayes

Official Kickers Game Summary

RICHMOND KICKERS: 2 60′ Belmar (Gordon), 76′ Gomiero (Mecham)
LEXINGTON SC: 1 90+3′ Smart (penalty)

The Richmond Kickers’ (3-2-4, 13 pts) earned a 2-1 win in front of 5,252 fans in their first-ever matchup with league debutants, Lexington SC (2-5-1, 7 pts), Saturday night as the Roos tentatively vaulted into third place in USL League One.

Kharlton Belmar and João Gomiero each scored their first goals at home to reward RVA for their continued support in making City Stadium the most-attended venue in the league.

Richmond and Lexington locked horns in a competitive first half as both keepers put together strong performances between the pipes, stifling dangerous chances and keeping the score locked at zeroes at the break.

The Kickers powered forward on the momentum of their first-half performance and found their first goal in the 60th minute.

Richmond progressed the ball into Lexington’s penalty area, but the visitors forced a turnover. However, they failed to clear the ball out as Justin Sukow raced to keep the ball alive with a slide and pass out wide to Owayne Gordon.

The winger took on his defender, bouncing outside before cutting the ball back across the six-yard box. Belmar pounced on the opportunity and powered a low-driven shot into the net as the keeper was left ball-watching.

Richmond struck for the eventual game-winner 16 minutes later.

Sukow was the catalyst again as he lofted a ball from midfield up the right wing for Jake Mecham who was timing a forward run perfectly, shedding his defender. With acres of space, Mecham ran onto the ball near the backline and cut the ball back toward the penalty spot as Gomiero perfectly timed his run into the box and one-timed a curling ball away from the keeper and right inside of the far post.

The goal marked Gomiero’s third of the week after he scored his first goals as a member of the Kickers on the road at North Carolina FC on Wednesday night. Mecham’s assist was his first as a professional.

Lexington had the opportunity to cut Richmond’s lead late after drawing a penalty in the third minute of eight allotted minutes for stoppage.

After Akira Fitzgerald deflected a Lexington attempt on the goal with a kick save, Lexington’s Nico Brown was running toward the ball with his back toward goal. Gomiero appeared to get to the ball first as his leg collided with Brown’s, but it was determined as Brown went to ground that the contact was enough for a penalty kick.

Veteran attacker Don Smart stepped up and hit a low shot to the left. Fitzgerald dove in the correct direction, but the shot had just enough pace on it to beat his reaching hand and end up in the back of the net.

The win at City Stadium proved cathartic as the Kickers celebrated their first league victory at home. Richmond dominated the stats outshooting Lexington 17-13, making six more final third entries, and earning four more corners. And the night ended with hundreds of fans crowding the front of the seating bowl as the Kickers signed autographs a long while after the final whistle rang out in the stadium.

The Kickers are back on the road next week to face reigning USL League One Champs, South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, May 27th. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m. The Kickers will host an official watch party at the Ardent Barrel Room.

The Kickers then return home on Saturday, June 3rd to host Chattanooga Red Wolves SC during Military Appreciation Night presented by Tech For Troops. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

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