03/29/2024
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DUBLIN – Senior Justyna Gargala and junior Hannah Devane both recorded ‘Hat Tricks’ and combined for 7 goals Thursday as East Bladen defeated West Bladen 9-0 in Four County Conference girls soccer action on Senior Night at West.

Gargala scored 4 goals and dished out one assist, while Devane racked up 3 goals and 2 assists.

Devane turned a feed from Gargala into the first goal just 50 seconds into the game. Shortly after Devane returned the favor with a feed that resulted in what East Coach Jay Raynor called, “A gorgeous left-footed goal for Justyna”.

Gargala fired in her second goal of the game for a 3-0 lead, and senior Erika Morales-Baza tacked on a goal that stretched the East Bladen lead to 4-0.

“We opened the game playing very good soccer,” said Coach Raynor. “We were communicating and moving the ball nicely. After the 4th goal and as the half went on we started forcing shots. We got away from playing simple and what had produced the first 4 goals. We talked about that at half and got back to that style of play in the second half.”

Devane found the back of the net for the next two Lady Eagle goals as the lead grew to 6-0. Gargala then drilled in a penalty kick. “Justyna worked a nice give-and-go with Hannah inside the 18 for her fourth goal,” noted Raynor.

Late in the 2nd half sophomore Ashley Hardin turned a feed from freshman Gracyn Martin into the final goal. “It was a nice cross and a quality finish,” said Raynor. “Ash hit it one time and put it in. I was happy she put that in. She is our workhorse and she dominates the midfield for us. Tonight she seemed to be forcing her shots because the first few didn’t go in. To see her relax and get the last one was nice.”

“I was impressed with a majority of our play,” continued Coach Raynor. “We are communicating and working well. These girls have come a lot way and seem to finally have learned to trust each other. We are making passes that we weren’t weeks ago. We are getting a lot of good looks at goal and putting them in. We are also getting the job done in the back as we have only given up one goal in the last 7 games.”

“West played hard the entire game,” added Raynor. “Their keeper (Akira Grimes) made some amazing saves including a few diving and point blank saves.”

East Bladen defeated Union 8-0 Tuesday night. The Lady Eagles led 3-0 at half. Devane, Gargala and freshman Patience Ward finished the game with 2 goals each and all three of them dished out 2 assists each.

Hardin delivered 2 assists and scored one goal. Morales-Baza scored the other Lady Eagle goal. Union did not have a shot on goal in the game. Sophmore keeper Ting Lin and Ward split time in goal and recorded the shutout.

“The girls have worked hard this season,” said Coach Raynor. “We graduated a lot of goals and experience last year. I’m not sure many would’ve imagined this group having double digit wins this season. This group worked hard and showed what they are capable of. We will get back at it Monday and hopefully will continue this run into the playoffs. Very proud of this group and these seniors!”

East Bladen finished the regular season with a 10-4 league record and will carry a 15-4 overall mark into the play-offs.

Akira Grimes, Kayla Hunt, Kristen Hunt and Hannah Malcolm were the West Bladen seniors playing in the their final game on Senior Night.

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