CERRO GORDO -Senior Brooks McGill blistered the nets with a ‘Hat Trick plus one’ of 4 goals, and junior Greyson Heustess dished out 4 assists to lead East Bladen to a 9-0 Three Rivers Conference men’s soccer victory over West Columbus Wednesday night.
The Eagles remained unbeaten in league play at 3-0 and are 7-1 overall.
Heustess played a ball out of midfield to Gabe Barber who sent a pass to McGill who knocked in the first goal from 7 yards out in the 6th minute.
Five minutes later McGill converted an assist into a goal off a header from Heustess that was set up by a Gabe Barber throw-in. Moments later freshman Garrett Melvin was fouled in the box, and sophmore Jake Evans blasted in the penalty kick for a 3-0 Eagle lead.
In the 32nd minute junior Pierce Melvin hurled a quick throw-in to McGill who beat the keeper from 12 yards out. Four minutes later McGill intercepted a pass in the back, raced to the goal and finished from 7 yards out.
In the 38th minute Gabe Barber jumped a pass, beat a defender and banged in the shot from 10 yards out. in the final seconds of the half the Eagles struck quickly for another goal and a 7-0 lead.
“We won a corner kick and Greyson ran over and played a perfect ball to Pierce who headed in the shot just before time expired,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor.
Five minutes into the second half, Heustess was fouled in the box. Evans drilled the resulting penalty kick into the back corner of the goal.
In the 67th minute Caleb Hatchell was fouled in the box as he beat a defender. Spencer Scott booted in the penalty kick for the final goal that ended the game on the mercy rule.
“I thought we had a solid game and looked good at times,” noted Coach Raynor. “We are getting our system down and are hard to break down. We are also getting closer to getting it all dialed in.”
West Columbus’ field is 10 yards shorter and 20 yards narrower than East Bladen’s field. “That’s a big difference,” stated Raynor. “Especially when we are used to using our speed and playing fast. The guys adjusted and were able to make passes and move players around. I was impressed with that. It’s something we haven’t been great at and have trained the last few sessions.”
“Obviously Brooks and Greyson has great performances but I thought Caleb had a great night,” said Coach Raynor. “He’s a kid that brings a lot to the table and gives us a great presence. He had a great header that their keeper made a heck of a play on.”
“Gabe and Jake were their usual selves and made some big plays for us,” continued Raynor. “Pierce did a great job tonight. His goal was incredible but so was his distribution and initiating our attack. All but two of his long balls were on the money. Being able to have balls played from his position allows us to stretch a team out and get players in the attack.”
Jacob Priest got the start in goal for us tonight and did a great job,” added Raynor. “Keshaun (Davis) was a leader in the back tonight and made several big stops for us. Neither Jacob nor Spencer when he went in faced any tough saves on the night.”
West Columbus had 2 shots on goal and Scott was credited with the only save for the Eagles.
“There are lulls in our play during the matches and we have to correct that,” concluded Raynor. “We must be spot on and lock it in so we don’t stray from it.”
East Bladen travels to Scotland for a non-conference match at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Eagle jayvees play Scotland at 5 p.m.
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