ELIZABETHTOWN – Junior Brooks McGill fired in a late game-winning goal that lifted East Bladen to a 3-2 Four County Conference men’s soccer victory on Senior Night over rival West Bladen.
Seniors Grey Cabellero and Robert Meggs were honored in Senior Night activities at halftime.
With the score tied 2-2, the Eagles won the ball and made a run at the West goal. Sophmore Greyson Heustess sent a pass into the box at McGill’s feet. “Brooks cut the center back and hit a hard low shot that snuck just inside the left post with 50 seconds to go,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor.
Heustess opened the scoring in the tenth minute by knocking in a goal off of a corner kick from Cabellero who sent a low driven ball into the box.
“I thought we had some chances that we missed early on,” said Coach Raynor. “We would win the ball, then give it right back to them. We stayed on our heels and on the defensive more than we should have.”
Fifteen minutes after the Eagle goal, Knight sophmore Junior Funez evened the game with the first of his 2 goals for West Bladen. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime.
The Eagles failed to convert on a penalty kick midway the second half after freshman Gabe Barber was fouled in the box. “Both teams had numerous chances that were turned away either by great defensive plays or the goal itself,” noted Raynor. “Both teams hit the goal in the last 20 minutes.”
Sophmore Pierce Melvin’s throw-in was headed by McGill over to Heustess who tallied his second goal of the game from close range to put the Eagles ahead 2-1.
Back came the Knights with Funez finding the back of the net for his second goal that tied the score again 2-2 with under 15 minutes left to play.
“I thought my guys did a great job of not panicking and responded well,” stated Raynor. “We moved some players around and got the push that we needed and kept it on their backline.”
Both goalies turned in strong performance as East Bladen sophmore Spencer Scott and West Bladen freshman Angel Martinez recorded ten saves each.
“I thought both teams fought hard tonight,” continued Raynor. “It wasn’t the prettiest but it was a solid match. I give Coach (Brennan) Brown a lot of credit. West played a heck of a match and those guys played hard.”
Raynor also praised his own team noting that “the backline was solid and Scott, Dan (Tatum), Keshawn (Davis) and Ezequiel (Arteaga) made some big plays at key times.”
Heustess finished with 2 goals and an assist. “Greyson had a great night for us up top and made things happen,” said Coach Raynor. “Jake (Evans) had a very good night. Played him in the midfield and he was able to lock down his side and made some big plays. Robert and Grey also had solid performances. It was nice to get them a win on Senior Night.”
“I’m proud of my guys,” concluded Coach Raynor. “They had several chances to hang their heads but they kept playing. They will work hard for you and know they are in the game until the final whistle.”
The Eagles improved to 7-4 in league play and 11-5-1 overall and will travel to Heide Trask Saturday for a 2 p.m. game.
West Bladen, now 2-8 and 7-9-1 overall, will host Pender Thursday at 6 p.m.
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