Jackie Medina-Leal scored two goals, Gabriela Rebollar had a goal and an assist and Aubri Nixon recorded a clean sheet Thursday as East Bladen shut out Southern Wake Academy 4-0 in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A girls’ soccer playoffs.
The fourth-seeded 1A East Eagles (16-1-2) will advance to Monday’s scheduled third-round game at home against the winner between No. 5 Wake Prep Academy (11-7-1) and No. 12 East Wake Academy (10-6-1). Those teams are scheduled to play Friday.
“Senior leadership got these girls through this adversity,” East Bladen coach Jay Raynor said. “Two tough playoff games back to back in not the best conditions and being down starters, not sure many teams could do what they did and are doing.”
East Bladen’s NeNe Ward did not play because of injury. The Eagles opened the playoffs Wednesday with a 4-1 win against Rosewood.
East Bladen’s defense kept Southern Wake Academy’s Hannah Torri off the scoresheet. Torri had scored 50 goals in 15 games this season.
“Macey marked Torri and held her to limited looks,” Raynor said. “We fouled her stabbing at the ball a few times and gave up some tough free kicks that Aubri made excellent saves on.” Anna Miranda also helped defend Torri.
The Eagles wasted little time taking control of the contest. Medina-Leal scored off an assist from Rebollar four minutes in, then Rebollar nettd a goal off a corner kick at the nine minute mark.
Freshman Kenley Parks connected from 30 yards out midway through the first half that gave East Bladen a 3-0 lead.
Medina-Leal netted her second goal off an assist from Leanh McGill a minute into the second half for East Bladen’s final goal.
“Jackie was the lone forward all night,” Raynor said. “Going against five girls and had her way with them. She was a on a different level tonight. Gabby was spot on again with her service and corner kicks.”
Raynor also had praise for freshmen Kaylean Chambers, who was was making her first start, Bella Beard and Julia Flowers, along with senior Anna Miranda.
The Eagles have outscored their opponents 95-16 this season.
Southern Wake Academy, based in Holly Springs, finished its season with an 11-5 record.
East Bladen tied for first in the Waccamaw 1A/2A Conference and was the top 1A team in the conference. The Eagles split two regular season meetings with Waccamaw co-champion Heide Trask, a 2A school.
Author: Sonny Jones
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