BLADENBORO– Claxton Tatum fired in 2 goals in regulation play then knocked in the deciding goal in the penalty-kick shootout as Clarkton School of Discovery edged Bladenboro in the Waccamaw Middle School Conference boys’ soccer opener for both teams.
Salvador Gonzalez opened the shootout for the Blue Devils converting his shot for a quick 1-0 lead. Benjamin Diaz answered quickly with a Bulldog goal that knotted the count 1-1.
Tatum, the 3rd shooter for Clarkton banged in the eventual deciding goal. Dionel Herdnimo-Deleon hit the post on Bladenboro’s final shot. “It came to rest on the line,” said Bulldog Assistant Coach Otis Evans. “But the referee said no goal.”
Diego Santos-Hernandez turned an assist from Ashton Bryant into a Bladenboro goal in the 6th minute of play. Blue Devils Izaac Elkins tied the score 1-1 with an unassisted goal in the 15th minute.
Four minutes later Santos-Hernandez found the back of the net again to edge the Bulldogs ahead 2-1. Back came the Blue Devils as Tatum cracked the scoring column 2 minutes before halftime and knotted the score 2-2.
Nine minutes into the 2nd half, a Sincere McKinley goal pushed Bladenboro back in front 3-2. Lead didn’t last long as Tatum rallied the Blue Devils with a goal moments later that tied the score 3-3.
“Goalie Noah German played a great game for us and had 8 saves,” said Blue Devil Coach Robert Mazur. The Blue Devils will travel to Tabor City Thursday, while Bladenboro will visit Nakina Thursday.
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