ELIZABETHTOWN – East Bladen and Union tried and tried Wednesday night, but the weather finally won out, and their non-conference girls’ soccer game was declared a no contest, since they did not finish the 1st half.
Both teams will now await the release of the state playoff brackets Friday to see where their next game will be.
“This game was much needed,” said Lady Eagle Coach Jay Raynor. “We were able to play another quality opponent and see where we stand. Union is currently ranked 15th (RPI) in 1A and play in a strong conference. Union was a test and I think for 32:29 we passed that test.”
East Bladen led 4-0 when play was stopped due to lightning and rain with 7:31 left before halftime.
Raynor noted, “A win would have pushed Union’s RPI up and just playing us could have moved them up some with our record. A win for us would have moved us up and offered the potential chance at another home game in the playoffs. Coach Cruz and I communicated through the break and agreed that with the implications that it was worth the wait. We all can say we tried.”
East Bladen scored 4 goals in a span of 6 minutes to build a 4-0 lead and outshot the Lady Spartans 13-0 before the weather stopped play.
Junior Jackie Medina-Leal turned an assist from senior Heidi Rebollar into the 1st East goal in the 18th minute. Two minutes later, Iveonna “NeNe” Ward converted a served ball from Medina-Leal into a goal.
“Nene and Jackie are clicking,” shared Raynor. Their timing of runs and working together, the overall chemistry between those two is a huge reason to our success. Jackie is dominating her area when she’s on the ball. That’s allowing her to get shots on goal but more importantly get NeNe and Molly great looks on goal from her service.”
Medina-Leal banged in a goal of her own in the 24th minute in the half, and 35 seconds later sophomore Macy Potter knocked an assist from Ward into the goal for a 4-0 lead.
“Macey brings the energy when we need it,” stated Raynor. “It was great to see her find the back of the net tonight. We ask a lot of her and there has never been a time where she hasn’t given it everything she has.”
Raynor continued, “Molly (Evans) was dominating her side and getting run after run into the box. She was unlucky numerous times hitting the post a few times on her shots. Heidi and Gabby (Rebollar) were doing well controlling the midfield. Heidi was doing a great job of controlling the tempo of our attack.”
“Gabby, Eli (Padilla), KK (Kaelyn Eason), and Anna (Miranda) were smothering the ball when the game got into the midfield,” stated Raynor. “Those girls were winning 50/50 balls and limiting one of their best players (#5) to having to force the play. She didn’t have time nor space because of those ladies in midfield.”
“Leah (McGill) since coming on to play left back has transformed our backline,” said Raynor. “She is great on 50/50 balls. She’s great on knowing when to try and turn up field and when to knock the ball out. That has helped us avoid situations when we are forcing the game in the back trying to make a play. She realizes it’s ok to knock it out and reset rather than force the game and make a play.”
Raynor added, “Zoe (Smith) and Reece (Hester) are the leaders in the back. When they communicate and bring it, we are tough to be scored on. Their leadership and experience in the back are why we are so stingy and don’t give up a lot of goals. Those two with Gabby, Macy, and Leah make for arguably our best defensive group that has played in an East Bladen uniform.”
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