ELIZABETHTOWN – Senior Gabe Barber scored two first-half goals Wednesday night to lead his East Bladen Eagles to a 3-0 Three Rivers Conference boys soccer victory over West Bladen.
Junior Drew Sholar sent a pass to senior Jake Evans who laid the ball off to Barber who knocked in a header in the 4th minute. “Drew continues to be on his hot streak earning another assist tonight,” noted Raynor. “He’s working hard for us and getting settled into his role and position.”
In the 27th minute, Barber made a long run through the midfield and fired the ball into the net for a 2-0 halftime lead. “Gabe had another great outing,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “He settled the game down for us and was able to put those two goals away in the first half. Those were big.”
Barber also contributed to the final Eagle goal, sending a pass to senior Angel Martinez, who scored the goal in the 70th minute.
“It wasn’t our best game by far,” continued Raynor. “That credit goes to West. They did a good job of taking the way we wanted to play away from us. Once we settled down and made the right runs we could knock the ball around and take control of the game. Too often tonight we chased the game rather than settling into it.”
“It was a hard-fought defensive game,” said Knight Coach Phillip Turnage. Senior Nick Gibson recorded seven saves in goal for West Bladen.
“We were on the doorstep many times,” said Raynor. “I thought especially in the second half we put some really good sequences together that led to some really good looks. Unfortunately those ended with poor chances put over the bar or into their keeper.”
Raynor praised the Eagle defense. “Freddy (Wooten) is doing an unbelievable job in the back for us. He’s a leader and brings it every game. To hold them to really no chances on goal says a lot. They have two young men with pace who can score. Both have totaled around 38 or 39 goals and we were able to shut them out. I think that says a lot about our team, especially our backs (Jay Mckoy, Freddy, Milton Estrada, Chase Starkloff) and goal keeper (Jacob Priest).
Raynor added, “Chase made a huge difference for us in the midfield and to start the game in the back. West came out fired up and went right at Chase. He made several tackles and big plays in the first few minutes at right back. Jake was dangerous on the flank tonight but we couldn’t always find him. Pretty sure it was a combination of West’s pressure and our lack of movement off the ball
“Proud of the guys and how they are performing,” concluded Raynor. “They have come together and are playing for each other.”
The Eagles remained atop the TRC with a 7-0 league record and 8-3-1 overall mark. East Bladen will travel to St. Pauls on October 9.
West Bladen, now 3-4 in league play and 4-7-1 overall, will visit South Columbus on October 9.
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