TABOR CITY – Junior Malcolm Bolden poured in 6 goals as East Bladen rolled to an 8-0 victory over South Columbus in the non-conference season-opener for both teams Monday night.
“Malcolm scored a lot of goals today but he was limited with his time,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “We wanted our attack to start clicking and find the right combination. I believe we made some progress in those areas. It was good to get them runs together but also to give our young guys some time on the field.”
Bolden opened up the scoring in the 8th minute off of a long ball served from sophomore Zac Metz. Seven minutes later, freshman Jonathan “Johnny” Miranda took a pass from freshman Gabriel Algozy and tucked it away into the net for a 2-0 Eagle lead.
In the 17th minute Miranda knocked in his 2nd goal of the game off of a feed from Metz. Bolden fired in 2 more 1st half goals to stretch the East Bladen lead to 5-0 after only 24 minutes of play. Sophomore Jamie Delgado delivered assists on both of Bolden’s goals.
Bolden lit up the scoreboard with 3 more goals in the second half. Miranda and senior Joel Johnson contributed assists on the first 2 2nd half goals. Bolden raced to the net for an unassisted goal to close out the scoring. “I’m not sure anyone on the guys side has ever scored 6 goals in a game,” said Raynor.
East Bladen outshot South Columbus 27-3 (14-2 in the first half).
“Lee (Barnes) was solid in goal and earned his first shutout,” noted Raynor. ”Our backline of Zac, Chase Starkloff and Nathan Howell continue to improve each time out. Chase is doing a great job of keeping them together as well as teaching them. Jacob Nixon in the midfield has been instrumental in stopping attacks as well as starting our attacks.”
Metz, Delgado and Miranda were credited with 2 assists each for the winners. Johnson recorded the other assist.
“We were able to control the game from the start and that allowed us to give everyone quality minutes,” continued Raynor. “I continue to be impressed with my kids. Freshman like Gabriel, Alex Hildago, Johnny, Andrew Mussclewhite and Chace Butler all are getting better each time out. Our kids who lack experience or are new like Lee, Jacob, Erik Hildago, Omar Atkinson, and Tyreon Graham are all bringing a lot to the table. Mix in our kids who have been in the program, Blake Allen, Nathan, Zac, Chase, Malcolm, Joel, and Jair (McElveen). I feel like we have a deep team. Just have to keep getting better each time out and maximize our time together.”
Raynor concluded, “I don’t think we have done the best of that lately. We haven’t had a chance to really get detailed in what we are doing. I’m confident that once the guys get back in school and we can develop a better routine / rhythm, things will really start to develop.”
The Eagles will host West Brunswick Friday at 4:30.
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