East Bladen Shuts Out Pender 5-0, Remains Unbeaten on Season

Elizabethtown, NC - East Bladen’s girls' soccer team continued its dominant run Thursday evening, blanking Pender 5-0 at home to remain undefeated on the season.

The Lady Eagles improved to 6-0-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play with a complete team performance on both sides of the ball.

Gabby Rebollar opened the scoring in the 31st minute of the first half, capitalizing on an early opportunity to give East Bladen the lead.

Rebollar wasn’t finished. Just minutes into the second half, she found the back of the net again in the 42nd minute and later added an assist, showcasing her usual versatility and offensive leadership.

Macey Potter made her presence known as well, scoring twice in the second half. Her first came in the 44th minute, shortly after Gabby’s second goal, and she added another in the 66th minute to help seal the win.

Potter also provided an assist, continuing to prove why she’s one of the most reliable scorers on the squad.

NeNe Ward rounded out the scoring for East Bladen with a goal in the 71st minute, capping a strong performance with an assist to go along with her goal.

Ward's energy in the attacking third helped the Lady Eagles wear down a Pender defense that packed the box and limited space throughout much of the match.

Annika Bass earned her first varsity assist, a moment celebrated by the team and coaching staff alike. Her continued development and effort off the ball have been paying dividends as she grows more confident each match.

“It was also nice to Annika get her first varsity assist. She’s been working hard and making the most of her time on the pitch,” Coach Raynor said.

In goal, Aubri Nixon recorded a save and combined with Sana’a Singletary for the shutout. Nixon faced minimal pressure thanks to a disciplined defensive effort but came up with a key stop to preserve the clean sheet.

East Bladen’s back line was rarely threatened, with Pender entering the Eagles’ half just four or five times in the second half.

“Lynn and Marlee defensively held us down in the back. They both made great decisions and plays in the back. Their clearances were much improved since our last time out," said Raynor.

Coach Jay Raynor praised his squad for their resilience and poise, especially while playing without several key starters.

“Another amazing performance from Anna and Gabby tonight,” Raynor said. “Their leadership and understanding of what we need, as well as how we need to play, is invaluable.”

With players stepping into new roles, the Lady Eagles didn’t miss a beat.

Julia Flowers and Kaylen Chambers earned their first varsity starts and made an immediate impact, bringing energy and helping to jumpstart the attack.

In the midfield, Kenley Parks and Lexi Ventura anchored the center of the pitch with composure and intensity, maintaining possession and helping East Bladen keep the game in Pender’s end.

Defenders Lynn and Marlee earned high praise from Raynor for their improved clearances and decision-making in the back. Their strong play was a major factor in limiting Pender’s chances.

Coach Raynor also noted the tactical adjustments made at halftime that opened up more space in the attacking third.

“We made a few adjustments at half and the girls executed it perfectly. That was the difference in the second half,” he said.

East Bladen returns to action Tuesday at home, where they’ll face Heide Trask in another conference matchup.

With the team firing on all cylinders and new contributors emerging each game, the Lady Eagles are proving to be one of the toughest teams in the region.

Roster: Michelle Quezada, Nevaeh Brown, Sana'a Singletary, Julia Flowers, Kayelynn Chambers, Abigail Miranda-Ventura, Jaziyeah Daniels, Mary Frances Sutton, Isabella Beard, Aubri Nixon, Lynn Escobar Perez, Kenley Parks, NeNe Ward, Jackie Medina-Leal, Leanh McGill, Gabriela Rebollar, Anna Miranda, Kaelyn Eason, Marlee Potter, Lexi Ventura, Macey Potter, Annika Bass.

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East Bladen Shuts Out Pender 5-0, Remains Unbeaten on Season