The third day proved to be the charm for the East Bladen girls’ soccer team.
After two days of postponements because of rain, the Eagles defeated Rosewood 4-1 on Wednesday in the opening round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A playoffs.
East Bladen got on the board 90 seconds into the game when NeNe Ward scored off a corner kick from Gabriela Rebollar.
In the second half, Rebollar scored in the opening four minutes on a free kick for a 2-0 lead, then capped the Eagles scoring on a penalty kick with 6:58 remaining
Macey Potter added the other goal for the Eagles off an assist from Rebollar with 13 minutes remaining.
Rosewood’s lone goal came off a free kick midway through the second half.
“Way less than ideal conditions,” East Bladen coach Jay Raynor said. “Had to get (the game) in and we were at the mercy of the weather and the field conditions. Neutralized all of our speed and ability to attack. Set pieces were the factor that tipped the scales.
“”Run of play goals weren’t going to happen tonight. Execution on those set piece opportunities was the difference,” Raynor said.
East Bladen will not have time to celebrate, however. The Eagles are scheduled to host Southern Wake Academy on Thursday in the second round.
Southern Wake Academy (11-4-0) finished second in the Central Tar Heel 1A Conference and shut out River Mill 4-0 on Tuesday in its first round game. The Lions are the No. 11 seed in 1A East.
East Bladen (15-1-2) tied for first in the Waccamaw 1A/2A Conference and is seeded No. 4 in 1A East.
If the Eagles win Thursday, they will host a third-round game Monday against the winner between No. 5 Wake Prep Academy and either No. 12 East Wake or No. 21 Southside.
Rosewood ends its season with a 1-13-1 record.
Author: Sonny Jones
About Author
