ELIZABETHTOWN – Junior Brooks McGill scored one goal and assisted on two more to lead East Bladen to a 3-1 Four County Conference men’s soccer victory over Pender Wednesday night.
It was the fifth straight win for the Eagles who finished their regular season 10-4 in league play and 14-5-1 overall. NCHSAA soccer play-off pairings are expected to be published Thursday.
In the 29th minute sophmore Pierce Melvin blasted a long pass ahead to McGill who finished off the shot from 9 yards out to put the Eagles ahead 1-0.
“We had some other chances in the first half,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “They did not really threaten in the first half. We did a good job of containing them and keeping our defense compact.”
The Patriots came out in the second half and picked up their attack, tying the game with a goal 8 minutes after intermission.
“That goal seemed to wake us up,” said Coach Raynor. “We made some runs and really picked up our play.”
In the 61st minute, McGill sent a pass into junior Caleb Hatchell who fired the shot low and hard past the goalie and into the right side of the goal for a 2-1 Eagle lead.
Eight minutes later, McGill hurled a throw-in to sophmore Greyson Heustess who ripped a shot into the net from 18 yards out for a 3-1 East lead.
Sophmore goalie Spencer Scott was credited with 4 saves in the game – 3 in the second half. Sophmore Dan Tatum led the Eagle defense with 10 steals. Melvin and freshman Jake Evans followed with 8 steals each.
“Jake really did a good job checking his man and keeping him in front of him,” noted Raynor. “Pierce had a good night, and Dan was really solid.”
Heustess was credited with 7 steals, and sophmore Ezequiel Arteaga and freshman Gabe Barber collected 6 steals each. McGill, senior Grey Caballero, Hatchell, sophmore Keshaun Davis and junior Jacob Barber had 5 steals each.
“We looked really good at times,” said Coach Raynor. “It was nice to have the lead and give our two seniors, Grey and Robert (Meggs) some extra time there at the end.”
“I am really proud of this team,” concluded Raynor. “Our goal was to make the play-offs, but 14-5 after being 6-14 last year is a tribute to these guys and the work that they put in.”
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