WHITEVILLE – East Bladen scored a trio of goals in the second half to clinch a share of the Three Rivers Conference men’s soccer championshipWednesday’s night with a 3-0 victory over second-place Whiteville.
The teams battled through a scoreless first half. “I thought we controlled a majority of the ball in the first half but couldn’t break through,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “We dealt with adversity throughout the match, and I thought the guys handled it well.”
The best Eagle scoring chance in the first half came on a quick kick from a foul within the Whiteville 18. Senior Brooks McGill’s shot hit the post and the Eagles couldn’t put in the rebound.
Coach Raynor made a few line-up changes with McGill, Garrett Melvin and Jake Evans at halftime. “The moves paid major dividends,” noted Raynor. “Brooks in midfield allowed us to win almost every 50/50 ball and allowed him to run at their backline.”
Evans played a ball to senior Caleb Hatchell who dribbled the baseline, cut back and drilled a goal over the keeper for a 1-0 East Bladen lead in the 42ndminute. “The keeper went to ground and Caleb got it over him,” said Raynor. “He beat several players and just about ran into the post but put in the shot.”
“That was a big goal and seemed to energize everyone,” stated Raynor. “We dominated the game from that point forward. We kept winning ball after ball and forced their backline and keeper to make plays.”
“Brooks went out with a yellow card, but our backline was huge while he was out,” said Raynor. “Dan (Tatum), Ezequiel (Arteaga), Keshaun (Davis) and Spencer (Scott) made some big plays when it really counted.”
In the 65th minute Evans hit Hatchell with a pass who laid it off to Gabe Barber. Barber pounded a shot into the upper right corner of the goal from 26 yards out. “That is definitely one of the best goals that I have ever seen,” said Raynor. “Heck of a shot and play!”
Four minutes later junior Pierce Melvin found McGill running into the box and McGill beat two defenders to score the final Eagle goal.
“I am proud of the guys who grew up a bit tonight,” stated Coach Raynor. “When someone made a mistake they picked him up. There wasn’t any fussing. Had big games from everyone. From starters to subs everyone did what they could to impact the game.”
McGill topped the defensive effort with 16 steals, while Arteaga and Pierce Melvin finished with 14 steals each. Tatum, freshman Garrett Melvin and Evans came up with 12 steals each. Junior Greyson Heustess and Gabe Barber had 10 steals each.
Junior Spencer Scott recorded the shutout in goal and was credited with 5 saves. “Spencer came up big, but Dan, Ezequiel and Keshaun played amazing games,” said Raynor. “Dan is really locked in and playing at a high level. Keshaun was a leader tonight and helped bring the guys together.”
“Pierce played a physical game and didn’t back down,” continued Raynor. “Jake helped our attack tremendously playing on top and he generated looks for us. Brooks changed the game with his vision and his ability. Greyson had a great game.”
“Garrett came in for Keshaun and had to make plays immediately,” noted Raynor. “His minutes were huge for us, and he made some really good decisions.”
The Eagles improved to 12-0 in league play and 18-1 overall and will host Red Springs Monday.
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