Five East Bladen Eagles– senior Chase Starkloff, juniors Malcolm Bolden and Jacob Nixon and sophomores Lee Barnes and Zac Metz – have been named to the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association Class 2A All-Region 5 boys soccer team.
Bolden was also named to the NCSCA Class 2A All-State Team. Starkloff racked up 395 steals in 18 games and tallied 3 goals and an assist. “Chase will go down as one of the best defenders to ever put an East Bladen jersey on,” stated Raynor. “His leadership and drive to want to make his team better was unmatched.” It was Starkloff’s 2nd All-Region selection.
Barnes recorded 6 shutouts and 9 victories in goal and was credited with 127 saves in 17 games. “Lee was unbelievable this year,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “He got better every day. Lee’s shot stopping ability combined with his desire to get better each day took him to a different level. If he continues to develop and progress, he could easily be one of the best keepers to come through our program.”
Nixon was credited with a team-high 410 steals and contributed 3 goals and 3 assists. “Jacob has made a name for himself,” said Raynor. “He controlled the midfield for us. His physicality and understanding of the game separates him from others. He was a difference maker. Without him on the field we weren’t the same team.”
Metz collected 332 steals and dished out 3 assists. “Zac grew substantially this year,” noted Raynor. “Tasked with playing out of position, he became dominant in his left center back position. He has a drive unlike others and loves to compete. He also made a name for himself having to handle some of the best scorers in the state this year in and out of conference.”
“These are individual awards but they speak volumes for the program we have built at East Bladen,” continued Raynor. “I am proud of them and the hard work they have put forth. They are a true testament to what it means to believe in each other, believe in the program, and to leave it better than you found it – our motto for our program.”
https://bladencounty.org/malcolm-bolden-named-ncsca-all-state-soccer/
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