03/29/2024
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ELIZABETHTOWN – Junior Malcolm Bolden recorded a ‘Hat Trick’ plus one as he scored all 4 East Bladen goals in a 4-0 non-conference boys’ soccer victory Monday over West Brunswick. It was Bolden’s 4th ‘Hat Trick’ of the season.

“It was a great team effort,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “With injuries and sickness we were down 4 starters. The guys responded well and everyone played a role in the win today.”

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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong

After a scoreless 1st half, Bolden opened the scoring in the 44th minute by turning an assist from Gabriel Algozy into his 1st goal. Twenty minutes later Bolden ignited a spurt of 3 goals in 4 minutes by knocking in his 2nd goal off of a feed from junior Jacob Nixon.

“We made some adjustments at halftime and changed up how we were attacking,” noted Raynor. The guys did well handling the adjustments and were disciplined with their play in the second half.”

Bolden fired in his 3rd goal off of an assist from sophomore Jamie Delgado in the 67th minute. A minute later Bolden raced to the net for an unassisted goal that padded the lead to 4-0.

“Jacob Nixon held down the midfield and was key in our transition game,” stated Raynor. “Blaine Pope and Jaime Delgado held the wings down for us. Chace Butler started up top and brought a lot of speed and physicality to the game. He and Malcolm up top with Gabriel and Erik (Hildago) coming out of the midfield was a great combination. Alex Hildago was key coming off the bench for us in the midfield as well as Tyreon Graham and Omar Atkinson.”

With goalie Lee Barnes out, junior Yontee Dobson got his 1st start in goal for the Eagles. “Yontee made 3 saves,” said Raynor. “He was calm and did a great job. The backline (Chase Starkloff, Nathan Howell, and Zac Metz) played a near perfect game in the back.”

East Bladen outshot the Trojans 16-2 in the first half and 26-4 in the game.

East Bladen’s game with South Columbus that was scheduled for October 14th has been cancelled. The Eagles, now 8-5, will travel to Red Springs next Monday. East Bladen’s jayvee team will play at Clinton Tuesday at 5 p.m.

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