CERRO GORDO – Freshman Jake Evans posted a ‘Hat Trick’ of 3 goals to lead East Bladen to an 8-0 non-conference men’s soccer victory over West Columbus.
“They kept us scoreless for the first 20 minutes,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “They got a lot of players behind the ball and we couldn’t find or create any space to beat them.”
The Eagles finally broke through on a penalty kick due to freshman Gabe Barber’s throw-in that was handled in the Viking 18. Evans drilled the penalty kick off the post and the goalie, but the ball came back to Evans, and he fired it into the net in the 21st minute.
Seven minutes later sophomore Pierce Melvin’s pass to sophomore Geryson Heustess produced another scoring threat. Heustess’ pass was headed by Barber, and the shot was handled in the box. Evans buried the penalty kick into the top left corner.
Later in the half, junior Brooks McGill hurled a deep throw-in that was tipped by the goalkeeper, but ricocheted right to senior Grey Cabellero who tapped it into the net for a 3-0 Eagle halftime lead.
Six minutes into the second half, McGill sent a throw-in into the 6-yard box that Melvin knocked into the goal for a 4-0 East Bladen lead.
A minute later Heustess played a ball into Evans who waited for Barber to make a run. Evans then sent a pass to Barber who got behind the defense and finished off the shot from 12 yards out.
Junior Caleb Hatchell came up with a steal 5 minutes later and played the ball out wide to sophomore Dan Tatum. Tatum delivered a pass into McGill who drilled in the goal from 8 yards out.
Midway the second half, Ezekiel Arteaga stole the ball and knocked a pass into Melvin who assisted on another Evans goal.
“Ezekiel made a great steal in the back, and Pierce played a great ball that forced the goal keeper out into no man’s land,” said Coach Raynor. “Jake took the pass and hit a hard shot from 24 yards out. It was a great goal! The finish was great, but the pass and the awareness of the play is what made it so great.”
An Evans cross was handled to set up another penalty kick that Heustess converted for the final Eagle goal with 15 minutes left to play.
“They played us tight and didn’t let us run,” stated Raynor. “ Eventually we started moving the ball and being patient. That was the difference as well as forcing them to make mistakes and we were able to capitalize on them.”
“I thought we looked good tonight,” continued Coach Raynor. “Started out slow but got better as the game went on. We were able to move the ball as well as get our backs into the attack. Gabe was up the line all night which is what we have been lacking. It gives us another able attacker forward and also helps us to keep possession. Dan did the same on the right side for us tonight.”
Sophomore Spencer Scott had one save in goal for East Bladen.
“We seem to have improved over the last few days especially in the area of free kicks,” added Raynor. “Tonight we converted some and were the first to the ball on the defending and attacking most of the night. Didn’t give up a set piece goal and that’s a move in the right direction for us.”
“We are finally set on positions and that helped,” noted Coach Raynor. “We were able to keep everyone in their position from the start and have a great sub pattern with our midfielders. Jacob (Barber), Caleb, and Grey rotating in and out kept us fresh and gives us a few different looks.”
“All three did good tonight but Caleb killed it,” added Raynor. “He played an outstanding game and helped control the midfield. Also thought Keshaun Davis had a really good night as well. Moving him and Gabe made a huge difference in our play tonight.”
“We were also able to get some younger guys and JV players some quality minutes,” concluded Coach Raynor. “It was really nice to see the guys smiling and having a good time. Tonight was a small taste of the type of soccer we are capable of playing.”
The Eagles improved to 3-1 and will host West Columbus in a return match Tuesday at 5 p.m.
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