CLINTON – Freshman Gabe Barber fired in the game-winning goal as East Bladen edged No. 1 Clinton 4-3 in the penalty kick shoot-out Monday night in Four County Conference men’s soccer action.
The Dark Horses, who came into the game as the top-ranked Class 2A team in the state, needed a goal with 2 minutes left in regulation to tie the game 2-2 and force overtime.
The teams battled through a pair of scoreless overtime periods highlighted by 4 saves from Eagle goalie Spencer Scott. “Spencer made two diving saves in overtime where he just laid out and tipped the ball outside the post,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor.
Senior Grey Caballero opened the PK shoot-out by drilling his shot past the Clinton goalie for a 1-0 lead. The Dark Horses answered with a goal, but freshman Jake Evans knocked in his penalty kick to put the Eagles ahead 2-1.
The Dark Horses rallied to score the next two goals to go ahead 3-2 after a pair of Eagle misses. Junior Caleb Hatchell then delivered the tying goal when the Eagles had to score to stay alive.
Clinton’s attempt at a game-winner sailed wide and forced the match into the sudden death round of the shoot-out. Barber converted to open the sudden-death round, and Scott blocked Clinton’s attempt at a tying goal to preserve the win.
“This was a program-changing win,” said Coach Raynor. “This is the kind of win that can define their careers for our seniors.”
The top-ranked Dark Horses came into the game 12-0 in league play and 18-1-1 overall and hadn’t lost at home in 2 years. “They have beaten New Hanover, Laney and Wallace,” noted Raynor.
The Dark Horses scored in the tenth minute to take a 1-0 lead. The Eagles answered 21 minutes later. Junior Brooks McGill came up with a loose ball and blasted a shot from 18 yards out that was blocked by the keeper. However sophmore Greyson Heustess pounced on the rebound and put it in to tie the score 1-1.
The score was still tied at halftime. “We were playing well,” said Coach Raynor. “We were playing more compact and making them go around us.”
Midway the second half Caballero hammered a shot from 20 yards out that bounced off a defender’s head and caromed off the keeper and into the net for the go-ahead goal.
Clinton’s tying goal came on a long 35-40 yard shot that Scott stopped but it fell back to a Dark Horse who scored.
“It was a total team effort,” said Raynor. “There were some times that we could have hung our heads, but we didn’t. Every kid played a heck of a game for us.”
“Brooks and Greyson really killed it tonight,” continued Coach Raynor. “They were outstanding, so was Caleb playing somewhere he hadn’t been playing. Little Jake Evans played 100 minutes of soccer tonight as a freshman.”
“Our backline was really tough,” added Raynor. “Pierce Melvin made play after play for us. Spencer was outstanding.” Scott finished with an astounding 18 saves for the Eagles.
Clinton held a slim 8-6 edge in corner kicks. “They didn’t score off any set pieces which was big for us,” stated Raynor.
The Eagles improved to 9-4 in league play and 13-5-1 overall and will host Pender Wednesday night.
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