ELIZABETHTOWN – Junior Hannah Devane poured in 4 goals (‘Hat Trick’ plus one) to lead East Bladen to a 5-0 non-conference girls soccer victory over West Columbus Monday night.
All three of Devane’s first-half goals were launched from the left side of the 18 yardline. Sophmore Ashley Hardin delivered two assists to Devane on two of the first half goals. Senior Anna Grace Long was credited with the assist on the other Devane first-half goal.
Late in the second half Devane turned an assist from freshman Cybil Campbell into her fourth goal of the game. Senior Justyna Gargala outfought the defense to pick up a loose ball from her own shot and knocked it in for the final Lady Eagle goal.
Sophmore goalkeeper Ting Lin was credited with 3 saves for East. “She played a fantastic game,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor. “Lexi (Mendell) and Ashley (Hardin) in the midfield set the tone for the game. We came out a little sluggish but picked it up as the game went on. West beat us to some balls to begin with but we eventually were able to turn that around.”
“We looked like we are on the same page a majority of the match,” continued Coach Raynor. “We kept the action on their half of the field. West was able to get behind us a few times but Cassidy (Davis) and Trinity (Carroll) were able to stop those attacks. Those two and Anna Grace (Long) seem to be working well together in the back. They communicate and work well. We did lack intensity at times back there but that was all over the field.”
“These girls are playing good soccer for 40-50 minutes, but it has to be for an entire game,”added Raynor. “We will get there and I can’t wait to see what that looks like. Proud of the girls and their development to this point. Our attack looks good, and Trinity, Anna Grace and Cassidy are allowing us to continue to try things up front by locking us down in the back.”
“We were able to get younger players some playing time,” said Coach Raynor. “Cybil (Campbell), Gracyn (Martin) and Victoria (Pridgen) have been able to get quality minutes. All three are factors when they are in the game.”
East Bladen improved to 3-0 with the win and will travel to Red Springs Wednesday for a 5 p.m. game.
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