ELIZABETHTOWN –Seven different players scored goals Tuesday night as East Bladen rolled to a 9-0 mercy rule victory over West Columbus in non-conference men’s soccer action.
“We looked good today,” said Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “The ball moved really well and on the ground for the most part. The guys were able to get numbers forward by utilizing their outside backs and capitalized on those opportunities.”
Twelve minutes into the game, senior Grey Cabellero found sophmore Greyson Heustess making a run on goal, and Heustess buried the shot into the back of the net from 6 yards out.
Midway the half, junior Jacob Barber worked a nice combination with freshman Jake Evans. “Jake pulled out the defender and cut the ball back while keeping his head up and finding Brooks (McGill) cutting to the back post,” said Raynor. McGill finished the shot from 6 yards out for a 2-0 lead.
In the 28th minute Jacob Barber sent a pass to Heustess just inside the 18 yardline. Heustess trapped the pass, shook past a defender and knocked in the shot from 7 yards out.
In the 31st minute Evans worked his way deep into Viking territory and sent a pass to McGill who was streaking to the back post for the goal.
Less than a minute later, an Evans corner kick went to junior Caleb Hatchell at the top of the 18. Hatchell pushed the ball around a defender then pulled back and fired a hard low shot into the left side of the goal for a 5-0 lead.
“It was a great finish and Caleb didn’t rush it and blast the ball over the top of the bar,” said Coach Raynor. “He showed composure and put the shot on frame. When you put the ball on frame good things can happen.”
In the 38th minute Heustess cut to the baseline and found Jacob Barber cutting to the goal. Barber finished off the pass with a goal that made it 6-0 at halftime.
Ten minutes after halftime, Hatchell jumped a pass and sent the ball to McGill out wide. McGill cut to the baseline and delivered a pass back to sophmore Pierce Melvin who made a run into the 18. Melvin drilled in the shot from 11 yards out.
“It was a nice goal. Something the guys do everyday in training,” noted Raynor. “For the situation to present itself in the game and for us to be aware of it and convert it is awesome. Tonight it was like a switch was turned and we got it. The runs, the passes, the decision making was all spot on.“
With the score at 7-0 some of the younger Eagles and jayvee guys got into the game. In the 54th minute Evans sent a pass into sophmore Josh Pope. Pope relayed the ball into freshman Gabe Barber who beat a defender and nailed the shot from 8 yards out into the back post.
The final goal ended the game in the 64th minute. Senior Robert Meggs made a run into the 18, received a pass from freshman Milton Estrada and finished off the goal from 6 yards out.
“West Columbus played us tough,” continued Raynor. “The score line doesn’t really indicate the type of game they gave us. Where we capitalized was on the space and using it. We were able to use our width to pull their backs out and create gaps and many 1-on-1 situations.”
Heustess and McGill led the Eagle scoring with 2 goals each. Evans finished with 3 assists.
“I thought (goalie) Spencer (Scott) had a great game tonight,” added Coach Raynor. “He only had 1 save but he held his backline in check and communicated all night. I also thought our 3 forwards and midfielders did well today.“
The Eagles improved to 4-1 and will travel to South Columbus Thursday for a 5 p.m. game. South Columbus defeated East Bladen 4-2 in their last meeting.
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