03/29/2024
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ELIZABETHTOWN – Junior Ashley Hardin scored a goal and dished out 5 assists Thursday night to lead East Bladen to a 7-0 Three Rivers Conference girls soccer victory over South Columbus.

“Ashley had a heck of a night,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor. “She completely dominated the midfield and set the tone for our attack.’

Hardin curled in a shot off of a pass from sophmore Patience Ward in the second minute for a quick 1-0 Lady Eagle lead.

In the 10th minute Ward knocked in a goal off a pass from senior Hannah DeVane that was sent from junior Izzy Smith. Hardin earned her first assist with a pass that Devane banged into the goal in the 22nd minute as the Lady Eagles built a 3-0 lead.

In the 30th minute freshman Katie Evans found the back of the net with a goal off of another Hardin assist.

In the 45th minute, Hardin found Evans streaking to the goal and connected with her on a pass from over 30 yards away. “Katie hit the ball in stride one time and put it in the back of the net,” said Raynor. “It was extremely impressive. The vision, the pass, and the finish – one of the best finishes I have seen!”

Devane turned a slotted pass from Hardin into her second goal of the game in the 47th minute. Junior Ting Lin blasted in the final East Bladen goal on a penalty kick in the final 2 minutes.

“The girls are playing well,” said Coach Raynor. “They are doing things that are completely unbelievable. I’m so proud of them. Of course there are times that we stray away from the way want to play but we can fix that.”

The Lady Eagles outshot South Columbus 31-0 in the game. Devane finished with 2 goals and an assist. Evans also scored 2 goals.

“We are trying to settle into a line up and substitution pattern,” continued Coach Raynor. “I believe we are getting closer there. This group is so dynamic that there are a ton of different looks that we can create.

“The credit to being able to have those different looks is the midfield,” noted Coach Raynor. “Ashley and Sara Gargala are killing it! One of the strongest midfields we have ever had. They give 110% and can attack but love to defend. Those two play a physical game and have been completely dominant.

“We should also credit Ting and Sara Johnson,” added Raynor. “Defensively we are extremely sound and allow our forwards to continue to get run after run after run on goal. Cybil Campbell was up and down the line tonight and played huge in a few different positions.”

East Bladen remained unbeaten in the Three Rivers Conference with a 2-0 record and a 3-0 overall mark. The Lady Eagles will travel to East Columbus Tuesday for a 5 p.m. match.

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