03/28/2024
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ELIZABETHTOWN – Freshman Garrett Melvin posted a ‘Hat Trick’ of 3 goals to lead unbeaten East Bladen to a 9-0 victory over South Columbus in the Three Rivers Conference men’s soccer opener for both teams.

Garrett Melvin converted a feed from senior Brooks McGill into the first Eagle goal then scored again off of a pass from his brother Pierce Melvin.

Pierce Melvin knocked in the next two Eagle goals with headers off of feeds from sophmore Jake Evans and sophmore Gabe Barber as the Eagle lead grew to 4-0.

A handball in the box resulted in a penalty kick that Evans fired in for a 5-0 lead. Brooks McGill intercepted a pass and blasted in a shot from 14 yards out for a 6-0 lead.

Garrett Melvin turned a feed from junior Greyson Heustess into his third goal. Heustess sent a pass to McGill who banged in his second goal as the Eagles took an 8-0 halftime lead.

Heustess’ third assist of the game produced Gabe Barber’s second goal of the night and ended the game on the mercy rule twelve minutes into the second half.

Pierce Melvin and McGill both finished with 2 goals and an assist each. Evans and Gabe Barber added one goal and one assist each.

“I thought we played extremely well at times, and some other times we looked like we took our foot off the gas,” said East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor. “They did a good job of congesting the 18-yard box, and we decided to jam ourselves and the ball in that space. We must do better with that.

“The times that things went well it was impressive,” continued Coach Raynor. “The movement of the ball and our movement off the ball was a pleasure to see. The runs we made caused many issues for their backline.

“Caleb (Hatchell), Jacob (Barber) and B. J. (Monroe) gave us some quality minutes tonight,” noted Raynor. “By utilizing those guys we were able to give South some different looks. Our guys are doing well with accepting their roles. It was good to open conference with a win.”

The Eagles travel to play old Four County foe Clinton Thursday night at 6:30.

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