ELIZABETHTOWN – Malcolm Bolden fired in the only goal of the game 14:51 before halftime as East Bladen edged West Bladen 1-0 in the Southeastern Athletic Conference boys’ soccer opener for both teams.
Sophomore Lee Barnes recorded 2 saves and posted his 5th shutout of the season in goal for the Eagles. East Bladen outshot the Knights 11-2.
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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
Freshman keeper Cade Allen and his West Bladen defenders limited the Eagles to the one goal. “I am proud of our guys,” said Knight Coach Kristen Parker. “We have got to improve our offense though.”
Coach Jay Raynor’s Eagles improved to 5-2 on the season and will travel to Rocky Point Trask Thursday. West Bladen suffered their 1st loss of the season and dropped to 3-1.
“Well played match by both sides. It was a great soccer game,” said Raynor. “Both sides were physical and played with lots of intensity. Both sides had a lot of respect for each other and battled each other to the very end.”
Raynor continued, “I felt we controlled a majority of the game but West had some dangerous opportunities. Chase Starkloff had an amazing game and his experience kept West out of the net. He stopped several attacks that looked like were going to be great opportunities on goal.”
“Our backline of Chase, Nathan Howell, Zac Mets had a tremendous game for us,” said Raynor. “They came up and made plays and good decisions when they had too. They played within the system and helped us earn another shut out. The backline kept West at bay which allows Lee to not have to make a lot of saves. Lee had a great night as well. He made the plays when he was called on. His distribution and confidence is getting better each time out.”
Raynor added, “With complimenting the backline means you also have to give credit to West for their attack. They made us pay for our mistakes on turnovers or fouls in our half of the field. We held the edge in the shot category but they had chances that we were able to thwart before they materialize.”
Hats off to Coach Parker. I was impressed with her team and her game plan,” stated Raynor. “She knows the game and has her kids giving her everything they have. Both of our teams are young but she has her youth believing playing for her. Their goalkeeper (Cade Allen) had a phenomenal game for them. Several times he came off his line to make plays that you see a seasoned player do.”
Raynor concluded, “Jacob Nixon had a great game for us as well. His pressure and his ability to stop their dangerous attacks, kept us in the game. Blake Allen also had a solid performance in the midfield for us tonight.”
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