CERRO GORDO – Senior Ashley Hardin lit up the scoreboard with a ‘Hat Trick’ plus one of 4 goals to lead undefeated East Bladen to a 6-0 Three Rivers Conference girls soccer victory over West Columbus Monday night.
Freshman Maya McDonald opened the scoring with a goal in the ninth minute of play that was the only Lady Eagle goal of the first half.
“We outshot them 20-0 in the first half,” said Lady Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “ We were getting frustrated. The shots were not going in, but we talked about shot selection at halftime. Their keeper had some great saves but we just needed to regroup.”
Junior Patience Ward turned an assist from freshman Heather Hardin into a goal 4 minutes into the second half. “It was a great score and even better assist,” stated Raynor. “Heather is really producing for us. Her energy and effort is always through the roof.”
Three minutes later the Ashley Hardin barrage began with a goal on an assist from sophomore Kenia Medina. In the 73rd minute, an assist from sophomore Katie Evans was turned into another Ashley Hardin goal.
McDonald sent an assist to Ashley Hardin two minutes later that Hardin converted into her third goal of the game. Ashley closed out the scoring 5 minutes later with her fourth goal.
“Ashley had a heck of a game for us,” said Raynor. “I thought she worked extremely hard tonight and led by example. Her last goal as time expired was unbelievable. She really brought it in the second half and that’s what we need.”
Raynor noted, “Gracyn (Martin) and Cybil (Campbell) had solid games for us tonight as did Katie (Evans) and Kenia (Medina). They were more aggressive in the attack, and we really need those two girls getting forward and generating more options in the attack.”
“We were also able to get some younger girls some experience,” added Raynor. “Merritt (Martin) played some big minutes as did Abigail (Collins), Ashlyn (Futrell) and Bailey (Davis). Their confidence is growing and did some good things out there.”
Raynor also pointed out, “Sydney (Wober) did a fine job in the second half. She sees the game really well and made some great passes. When you combine that with Katie, Kenia, Ashley, Maya, Patience, Cybil and Gracyn…that’s an attack-minded group that could be hard to stop.”
The Lady Eagles improved to 11-0 in the league and 14-0 overall and will host second-place Whiteville Wednesday on Senior Night.
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