03/29/2024
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LAKE WACCAMAW – East Bladen poured in 6 goals in the opening half and cruised to an 8-0 Waccamaw Conference boys’ soccer victory over East Columbus Wednesday night.

“The guys played well tonight,” stated Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “Everyone contributed and we started the game locked in. A few times this year we have been able to score first and score rather quickly. That puts a lot of pressure on the other team.”

Junior Chace Butler and sophomore Tevin McClean ignited the Eagle offense with 2 early goals. “Chace created multiple scoring chances for himself and his teammates and made several great passes into dangerous areas in the box,” noted Raynor. “Chace did what was asked of him and some tonight.”

Raynor added, “It’s incredible to see what Tevin is doing on the soccer field. He has a knack for scoring that puts him in situations where he can score. Tevin has also developed a chemistry with Chace, Ronnie (Covington), and Jamie Delgado. Those three had some great runs and combinations coming out of midfield tonight.”

Senior Connor Paddrick tacked on an insurance goal for a 3-0 lead. Conner’s goal changed the game,” said Raynor. “We earned a free kick inside our half of the field roughly 55-60 yards from goal. Fernando (Rebollar) placed it perfectly on goal and Conner put it home. He has a knack for being in position to score those type of goals.” Paddrick also had an assist.

McClean converted a pass from Delgado into the 4th East Bladen goal. “Those two as well as Conner strung together some nice combination plays,” surmised Raynor. “They all three linked up nicely numerous times to create scoring opportunities as well as helped us retain position during the run of play.”

Rebollar bombed in a free kick from midfield that pushed the lead to 5-0. “We earned a free kick from midfield, and Fernando stepped up and buried it in the net,”declared Raynor. “He’s a weapon. Anytime we have kicks from 60-70 yards out we know he can put it on frame. Great goal and assist to go with his shutout (in goal) tonight.”

Freshman Damian Alonzo-Sanchez converted a corner kick from senior Zac Metz into a goal that extended the lead to 6-0 before halftime. “Was good to see Damian put that goal away,” said Raynor. “He had a much easier look on goal earlier that he missed. He came out, regrouped and converted a much tougher attempt.”

Delgado drilled in a penalty kick late in the 2nd half to go with his 4 assists. “Jamie had a great performance tonight,” noted Raynor. “He started taking people on the run and that was the difference. When he moves with the ball the team moves with him. When he slows the game down, we stop to watch which puts him in a bind with no options to play the ball.”

Raynor continued, “Ronnie and JD (McArthur) dominated the midfield. JD’s work ethic in midfield is unmatched. He was able to win numerous balls and keep the game in their half. That resulted in goals and the opportunity to get him some rest. Ronnie is a great compliment to JD in midfield. His size and the way he uses his body gives us an advantage in midfield.”

“Fernando, Lee (Barnes), and our backs did their jobs tonight,” said Raynor. “It wasn’t always pretty at times but they got the job done. They earned a shutout and got a result with a win.”

Raynor added, “Marco (Ventura) had an outstanding night. Marco goes in whenever and wherever we need him. Tonight he played a lot as a holding midfielder. I was proud of his willingness to win 50/50 balls as well as his decision making on the ball. Andrew (Musselwhite) came in for us and played both left and right back. He’s another kid that brings it every time he plays.”

Raynor concluded, “What I was most proud of tonight was our ability to get everyone in the game and for us not to lose our identity. Our “Game Changers” came in and changed the game. Connor, Andrew, Marco, and Damian all made a difference. They made an immediate impact.”

“We have keys to every game,” said Raynor. “We have a game model with three objectives that I feel we need to complete to put ourselves in situations to win games. Tonight we checked all of those boxes and got a result.”

The Eagles improved to 6-1 in Waccamaw Conference play and 9-5 overall. Pender who leads the Waccamaw with a 7-0 record visits East Bladen Monday at 6 p.m. It will be ‘Youth Night” at East Bladen. All youth soccer players get into the game free if they wear a soccer jersey of their current team and they must be accompanied by a paying adult.

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