TABOR CITY – East Bladen built a 5-0 halftime lead en route to a 6-0 Three Rivers Conference men’s soccer victory over South Columbus Monday night.
Junior Gabe Barber delivered a low corner kick that found senior Greyson Heustess two yards out off the back post, and Heustess knocked in the goal in the sixth minute.
Six minutes later senior Pierce Melvin smacked a cross to junior Jay McGill who laid the ball off to freshman Chase Starkloff for the second East Bladen goal.
In the 33rd minute Pierce Melvin sent a pass to sophmore Jay McKoy who banged in the header for a 3-0 lead. “Pierce had an amazing game,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “He was highly involved in our attack, and made some big plays.”
“Jay (McKoy) had a great night and has been solid for us over the last few games,” continued Coach Raynor. “Chase’s energy is hard to match and is all over the place. He and Gabe did an outstanding job in the midfield.”
Two minutes after the McKoy goal, Heustess penetrated the 18 yardline on the dribble, beat 3 defenders and tucked away the goal from 5 yards out. “Greyson’s run was what we need more of,” said Raynor. “He created the opportunity and made that happen.”
In the 37th minute Pierce Melvin sent a corner kick that found sophmore Jackson Bostic who turned it into the fifth Eagle goal.
Midway the second half a Pierce Melvin corner kick found freshman Sam Inscoe who converted it into the sixth and final Eagle goal of the game.
“It’s good to see the ball hit the back of the net,” said Raynor. “I thought we moved the ball well at times, but at times we forced things and made some silly turnovers and bad decisions.”
Raynor noted that some of his younger guys – Bostic, Will Hester, Inscoe, Drew Sholar, Suliamon Algozy and Ebrahim Algozy- played some big minutes. “They work extremely hard and have a ton of fight. We all can learn from how the younger guys play.”
“Overall it was a solid performance and a move in the right direction for our guys,” concluded Raynor.
East Bladen remained unbeaten in the TRC with a 2-0 record and are 6-0-2 overall. The Eagles will host East Columbus Tuesday night.
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