ROANOKE RAPIDS – Senior Garrett Melvin lit up the scoreboard with all 4 of East Bladen’s goals as the Eagles advanced to the 2nd round of the NCHSAA Class 2A Boys Soccer Playoffs with a 4-0 victory over No. 6 seed Roanoke Rapids Tuesday night.
Coach Jay Raynor’s Eagles, the No. 11 seed, improved to 9-1 and will await the winner of Wednesday’s game between No. 3 seed First Flight and No. 14 seed Clinton. If First Flight wins, the Eagles travel to Kill Devil Hills for their 2nd round game. A Clinton victory would allow East Bladen to host the Dark Horses in the 2nd round.
The Eagles struck quickly as Melvin beat a defender and buried a low hard shot off of a throw-in from senior Jay McKoy only 56 seconds into the game.
“That goal that early set the tone,” noted Raynor. “We were flying around winning ball after ball. We kept them on their heels all night and I thought we were extremely efficient with our attack.”
In the 7th minute, Melvin gained possession near midfield and drilled a 25-yard shot past the keeper for a 2-0 Eagle lead. “It was a heck of a shot and well placed,” said Raynor.
Raynor described the 3rd Eagle goal that came in the 35th minute. “Will Hester picked up a header from Freddy (Wooten) deep in our defending 1/3, took a few dribbles, and served a brilliant ball to Garrett who was working from right to left. Garrett put the shot away with his left foot.”
East Bladen led 3-0 at halftime then Melvin scored his 4th goal 3 minutes into the 2nd half. It was Melvin’s 6th ‘Hat Trick’ of the season.
Junior Joel Johnson sent a ball down the right sideline that Melvin ran onto and was able to shoot back across the goal from 20 yards out. “The ball dipped and hit the ground bouncing off the ground with pace over the diving keeper,” said Raynor. “That’s a shot we have been working on. The low driven shot that hits just in front of the diving keeper. It’s so hard to defend and it was hit with precision. That resulted in a clinical finish.
“Tonight was an amazing performance,” stated Raynor. “There was not one ounce of individualism in the field tonight. We had a solid game plan and system to use and the guys adhered to it. We controlled the entire game and I felt dominated the midfield and 50/50 balls. That hasn’t been our forte this year but we brought it tonight.
“We dropped and covered the long kicks and runs from #1 (Josh Miller),” continued Raynor. “We kept everything in front of us and defended with 9 players. We noticed a tendency for them to become stretched so we dropped and were able to create a massive gap between their midfield and backline. Garrett and Malcolm dominated that channel which caused their backs to come out and they couldn’t match what Garrett and Malcolm can do at speed.”
Raynor added, “Jackson (Bostic) had a career game in midfield tonight. We switched him and Will to be stronger in the defensive midfield. That freed up Jackson to make some tackles and win the 2nd ball on the 50/50s. To say I was impressed with his play would be an understatement.
“Will and Sal (Algozy) also performed extremely well in midfield for us,” said Raynor. “They were active and dominated their areas. They won 50/50 balls and provided instant service into our forwards and wingers. We were able to keep Roanoke Rapids penned back because of what our midfielders were doing and the service they were providing.”
Senior Jacob Priest recorded another shutout in goal (his 8th in 10 games) for the Eagles. East Bladen outshot the Yellowjackets 18-0 so Priest didn’t have any shots to save. “He did have to deal with those long balls and kickoffs as well as a few free kicks, noted Raynor. “He kept the backs organized and handled everything hit his way.
“Chase (Starkloff) and Jay (McKoy) did well covering Miller,” continued Raynor. “He floated all over the place and tried his best to get at both of them. They did a tremendous job of keeping him In front and not diving in to make tackles on him. They held him without a shot all night and that says a lot. Freddy had a great night and was locked in. Freddy made a few tough plays but his biggest job was positioning his line and teammates on the free kicks. He was a heck of a leader tonight and was in the zone.”
Raynor added, “Having Drew (Sholar) and Joel back for this game was huge. We aren’t the same when they are out. They give us balance as well as give us options to move some pieces around. Lots of effort and hustle with those two.
“Proud of the guys and the opportunity they have given us to keep playing,” said Raynor. “I thought this was one of the best playoff performances we have put together. Was the best that we have played this year. Scary part is the guys feel they could play at an even higher level. Would love to see that and see that sooner than later. We will need those type of performances from here on out.”
Raynor concluded, “For eighty minutes tonight we were disciplined and were great teammates. That’s what it takes if you’re going to be great. Can you do the little things and get those little things right. One mistake at this point could be the one that sends you home and ends your high school career.”
The Eagles are the only team from the Three Rivers Conference still alive in the soccer playoffs. St. Pauls lost 3-1 to McMichael in the 2A playoffs, and West Columbus dropped a 4-0 decision to Neuse Charter in the 1A Playoffs.
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