03/28/2024
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LUMBERTON – East Bladen blanked Lumberton 3-0 Thursday in the Eagle jayvees men’s soccer non-conference opener.

Jackson Bostic drilled a hard shot into the back of the net from 6 yards out to open the Eagle scoring in the 14th minute. “That shot was generated from passes from Milton (Estrada) and Will Hester,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor. “Jackson had several looks but was finally able to put away his 3rd attempt. Jackson and all the guys were making runs into the 18 to ‘frame the goal.”

“We seemed to control the run of play through the first 20 minutes but the last 15 minutes of the first half belonged to Lumberton,” continued Raynor. “The heat and our fitness became a huge factor. We did well when we were the aggressors but put our backline (Drew Sholar, Aaron Todd, Reid Potter) and keeper (Jacob Priest) at risk more than we should have. They did a great job tonight.”

Hester tucked away a shot from 19 yards out in the second half off of an Estrada feed. “It was a nice turn and a nice hit with his left foot,” noted Coach Raynor. “It had the right pace and was placed into the right side netting.”

Five minutes later Hester worked free again and hit a hard shot that the keeper knocked down. Estrada tapped it in from two yards out. “We have preached and pounded in their head to “frame the goal” on shots or balls in the 18,” said Coach Raynor. “Milton’s goal was a great example of doing that.”

“Drew and Jacob did well for us in the back tonight,” continued Raynor. “Aaron and Reid also stepped up and played solid games. Jay McGill did a nice job of controlling the game from the #10 spot. The kids did a great job tonight and was nice to see them have fun and make plays.”

“This group has a bright future and it was nice to see them play an official game and get that under their belt,” concluded Raynor. “We will work on our fitness and continue to build on the solid foundation that this group has established.”

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