LUMBERTON – East Bladen’s junior varsity soccer team won all 3 of their matches in the Lumberton soccer scrimmage and only allowed one total goal in the three scrimmages.
In their first game, East Bladen edged Lumberton #1 2-1. Will Hester scored the first goal putting EB up 1-0 off a feed from Jay McGill. Lumberton bounced back with a goal 5 minutes later. Jackson Bostic fired in the game winning goal off of Hester assist. Goalkeeper Jacob Priest was credited with 5 saves for the Eagles.
East Bladen defeated Lumberton #2 1-0. Irvin Hernandez boomed in a free kick from almost 40 yards out for the game winning goal. “The game was back and forth,” said Eagle Assistant Coach Jay Raynor. “But we were the aggressors keeping all the pressure on Lumberton 2’s backline.”
Priest was credited with 2 saves in goal and recorded the shutout. Raynor credited the back three of Aaron Todd, Drew Sholar, and Reid Potter with “keeping the Pirates from getting looks on goal.”
East Bladen blanked Grays Creek 2-0 in their third match. Milton Estrada converted a pass from Jay McKoy into a goal and a 1-0 lead in the first few minutes. Sulimon Algozy would chip a goal past the keeper in the closing minutes to pad the lead to 2-0. B. J. Monroe was credited with an assist on the goal.
“The JV ( what we refer to as Team 2 ) did really well today,” said Raynor. “They have been working extremely hard and are very talented. Our backline and keeper kept us organized. I thought we looked disciplined and pressed well. There were some spacing issues but our shape looked good and we played some good soccer. This is a intelligent as well as hard working group. Have been a pleasure to work with and have me really excited about the direction of our program.”
“Our back line (Drew sholar, Aaron Todd, and Reid Potter) and our keeper (Jacob Priest) seemed to be on the same page,” continued Raynor. “We didn’t make many mistakes back there and when we did we used our athleticism and knowledge of the game to help solve those issues. Jacob did a great job communicating and keeping the back 3 together. Drew did a great job making plays when he was called on. Reid was able to help us get out of the back and get forward.”
Our midfield and forwards also looked good,” noted Raynor. “Will Hester has a knack for scoring and gives us a physical presence in the 9 spot (center forward). Milton and Jay McKoy help us on the flanks with their speed which helps us spread the opponents backline. Jackson Bostic and Jay McGill anchor the midfield and bring a high level of understanding to the game. Both stepped in and controlled the midfield and made some very good decisions.”
This is a very young squad but play at a level beyond their age,” concluded Raynor. “This is not just kids who are there just to be there. These kids want to play and want to be successful in all they do. Looking forward to watching these guys grow and where they take our program in the next few years.
The East Bladen jayvees are coached by Dr Ray Cross. Assistant Coaches are Jay Raynor and Patrick McCullum.
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