03/28/2024
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RED SPRINGS – East Bladen senior Gabe Barber fired in 2 goals and dished out 3 assists to lead the Eagles to a 7-0 Three Rivers Conference victory over Red Springs on Monday night.

Senior Angel Martinez finished with 2 assists and one goal for the winners, and senior Jake Evans added a goal and an assist.

“We played extremely well tonight and as a team,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor. “The guys stuck to our game play and moved the ball really well. I thought we did a good job of spreading the field and that opened up the interior for us. We were able to find pockets and that allowed us to have more time on the ball.”

Raynor continued, “Gabe and Jake had amazing games. Tried to get them some extra minutes right before half and when they aren’t on the field you can tell. They are the motors that drive us.”

Barber sent his first assist to junior Drew Sholar who knocked in an early goal for a 1-0 East lead. Barber drilled in the Eagles’ second goal off of an assist from Martinez.

“Drew and Angel really contributed,” said Raynor. “Both were huge factors coming off the bench. When they come in the game we don’t fall off. Our bench did another great job tonight. Chase (Starkloff) was another kid who played big for us in several positions tonight.”

Junior Garrett Melvin banged in a goal off of an Evans assist to boost the Eagle lead to 3-0. Senior Jon Von Rupp booted in the next Eagle goal off of Barber’s second assist of the game as the lead grew to 4-0.

“Jon had a heck of a game and really helped us press up top,” noted Raynor. “Garrett played a complete game tonight. He was locked in and made us better with his runs and creativity on the ball.”

Barber drove to the goal and blasted in an unassisted goal to stretch the East Bladen lead to 5-0 at halftime.

Martinez opened the second half scoring for the Eagles by turning Barber’s third assist of the game into a goal. Evans closed out the East Bladen scoring by smacking in a goal off of another Martinez assist.

“The guys won a majority of the 50/50 balls,” stated Raynor. “Our midfield was strong and did a great job of pressing. We used a few different presses and we were able to turn them over quite a bit. Our chemistry has really improved over the last few weeks. The guys are playing for each other and having fun.”

Junior Jacob Priest recorded the shutout in goal for the Eagles. “Jacob came up big with 2 massive saves,” said Raynor. “One from point blank range that he turned away was hit with some pace.”

Raynor continued, “The play of Jay McKoy and Freddy (Wooten) in the back is super impressive. Red Springs looked to get in behind us a few times but those two put a stop to those dangerous situations. Both were also able to get forward and generate some offense for us. Malcolm (Bolden) had a solid night but was unlucky. I believe he hit the posts and the crossbar. He’s playing more physical and using his speed much more than in the early games.”

The Eagles remained undefeated in TRC play with a 6-0 record and are 7-3-1 overall. East Bladen will host rival West Bladen on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

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