ELIZABETHTOWN – Freshman Gabby Rebollar fired in the game-winning goal in the 2nd half that lifted East Bladen to a 1-0 Southeastern Athletic Conference girls’ soccer victory over Midway Friday night.
“Gabby had an unbelievable game,” said Lady Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “The way she is playing, you would never think that she’s a freshman. She’s learning and working hard.”
It was East Bladen’s 2nd 1-0 win over Midway this week. “We are getting better every time out,” stated Raynor. “Got great minutes from everyone tonight. The quality of our play as well as our chances on goal are improving.”
Raynor continued, “We dominated the game and ball. I thought we were dangerous going to goal. I believe we are slowly figuring out who plays where to maximize our potential. I also believe the girls are doing a good job of learning our system. We are young in many positions so there is that learning curve. The girls are working hard but at times overthinking. That’s on me and I need to do a better job on the coaching and teaching our system as well as the game.”
East Bladen outshot Midway 15-0 in the 1st half and 21-1 for the game.
“Cydney Campbell had a great week and great game tonight,” said Raynor. “She made some great runs and had two quality shots on goal from her winger position. Cyd was playing box to box and played the entire game at a high level.”
Raynor added, “We tweaked a few things tonight and moved Heidi (Rebollar) inside with Acee (Campbell) tonight. Acee dominates the midfield and is extremely strong defensively. It was another great night for Acee. Heidi helped add a strong presence in the midfield. Having Acee and Heidi in midfield, always gets us to commit more to our attack when we transition. Those two allow us to send numbers forward due to their ability to win 50/50 balls and clean up for us in midfield.”
“Jackie (Medina-Leal) played will as our number 10 tonight,” shared Raynor. “She is great with the ball at her feet. Jackie likes to run with the ball and she’s a play maker. She made several great combination plays with her teammates and had several quality shots that barely missed or forced the keeper to make a tough save.”
“Eliana (Padilla) and Molly (Evans) both are growing their confidence every time out,” noted Raynor. “Those young ladies are going to be the driving forces of our attack when they get going. Once those two start finding the back of the net, their confidence and play will reach another level. Both are becoming more and more dangerous each time out.”
Raynor pointed out that “a lot of credit for tonight, Tuesday night, and our wins this season goes to Anna (Miranda) Macy (Potter), and Zoe (Smith). Those ladies as well as Molly have kept teams from getting shots on goal. They are doing great jobs of stopping attacks especially counter attacks before they turn into anything dangerous. Zoe is becoming more comfortable at center back and she is becoming more vocal. Macy’s work ethic and effort is unmatched on the field. Macy brings it every play and has solidified herself as one for the top defenders on this team.”
“Anna’s understanding of her position and how to defend has allowed us to move pieces around in front of her,” continued Raynor. “Anna (like many others) is playing out of what I think is her natural position and flourishing in her role. She loves the game and gives it all she has while on the field. Anna was also able to get involved in our attack and put some shots on goal.”
Raynor noted, “Reese (Hester) did not have to make a save tonight but she did make a couple of plays of balls being played into our penalty area. Reese did a great job communicating. It was a great opening week in conference play.”
East Bladen, now 2-0 in SAC-7 play and 4-1-1 overall, will host Clinton Tuesday night.
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