Senior Lacey Suggs converted a feed from junior Justyna Gargala into the only goal of the game as East Bladen’s Lady Eagles edged Midway 1-0 Monday in Four County Conference girls soccer action at East.
Eight minutes into the second half, junior Lexie Mendell intercepted a Midway pass and sent the ball to Gargala near midfield who chipped a pass over the Midway defense to Suggs near the 18 yardline. Suggs fired the shot low and hard inside the back post for the goal.
“We dominated the game and controlled the midfield,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor. “It was a completely different game from last time (a 3-1 East win). We just kept winning ball-after-ball-after ball.”
East Bladen had 18 shots on goal compared to only 4 shots on goal for Midway. “Our key was to keep #3 (Kasey McLamb) under control. We moved Lacey and Abby (Ward) into the midfield due to our injury situation and it really opened up the midfield for us,” continued Coach Raynor.
Suggs had 19 steals and 9 shots on goal to lead the Lady Eagles. Freshman Ashley Hardin who was playing with a sore ankle had 7 steals, and juniors Lexi Mendell and Cassie Hill and freshman Ting Lin had 6 steals each. Ward, Gargala and senior Claire Campbell added 4 steals each.
“We haven’t given up a goal in 6 games – that’s 480 minutes. We are playing some really good defense,” added Raynor. “Claire Campbell had a really good game, and Lexi Mendell was phenomenal on defense. We had Cassie Hill marking #28 (Manasia Cobb) and that really neutralized her.”
The Eagles had 6 corner kicks to only 4 for Midway. “We had three really good opportunities off of corners.” said Coach Raynor. “But we didn’t capitalize on them.”
Midway had a couple of good looks in the closing minutes. “We had a handball with about 30 seconds left just outside the 18,” said Coach Raynor. “But they sent the shot over the bar.”
Senior goalie Kathryn Cole recorded 4 saves as she posted the shutout.
The Lady Eagles improved to 7-1 in league play and 14-1 overall. East Bladen will travel to Pender today (Tuesday) for a 5 p.m. game.
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