The Morning After: East Bladen Soccer Downs South Columbus, Middle School Soccer Kicks Off

BLADEN COUNTY, NC - Wins, Shutouts, and Streaks Headline Monday Night in Bladen County

Monday evening was a strong showing for Bladen County athletics.

From middle school soccer dominance to varsity-level statement wins and competitive matchups, the night delivered results that spoke to both progress and momentum.

Here’s a full breakdown of Monday’s highlights across the county.

East Bladen Boys Soccer

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC — East Bladen put together a commanding 5-0 shutout over South Columbus on their home turf, extending their strong form with three wins in their last four matches and earning their first clean sheet of the season.

The Eagles opened the scoring in the 20th minute, when Ishaq Algozy slotted home a composed finish. Less than a minute later, Jayce Hatcher added a second goal off a smooth assist from Debo Lewis, giving East Bladen an early 2-0 lead.

Algozy came alive in the second half, scoring his second goal at the 37:02 mark. Later, he calmly converted a penalty kick with 14:14 remaining to complete the hat trick. Not long after, he capped off the night with a fourth goal, this time assisted by Jackson Moffatt.

Coach Jay Raynor was pleased with the team’s performance and defensive execution. “The guys played well. Controlled the game and our keepers didn’t have much to do tonight,” he said. “First shutout of the season which is always good to go with a win. Those guys back there work hard day in and day out.”

Raynor emphasized the importance of adaptability, with injuries forcing lineup changes and tactical adjustments. “We are improving and showing that through the adversity we have faced we are resilient,” he added.

The team now looks ahead to opening conference play at home Wednesday against Hobbton holding a 3-3-2 record.

East Bladen Volleyball

📸 Photo by LRMixes

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC — Hosting a tough Trask squad, East Bladen’s varsity volleyball team opened strong but fell 3-1 in a four-set match.

The Eagles took the first set 25-16, showing early intensity, but Trask stormed back with set wins of 25-16, 25-12, and 25-8.

Marlee Potter led the way from the service line and the front row. She tallied eleven serve attempts, four aces, seven attacks, one kill, and two digs. Taylor Dowless added two aces and four kills while attacking ten times and serving seven times.

Addison Douglas chipped in with thirteen serve attempts, two aces, and two digs. Mileigh Martin added three digs, one kill, and seven serve attempts. Cabria Baldwin registered six attacks and one kill, while Nadya Colon added a single attack.

Ariel Cromartie also contributed two serve attempts and one attack. Several players, including Tatum Allen, Gracey Edwards, and Julia Flowers, were listed as DNPs for this match.

East Bladen JV RECAP

In junior varsity action, East Bladen delivered a dominant performance, sweeping Trask in two sets by scores of 25-13 and 25-15.

Bella Beard had a strong showing with one ace, four attacks, four kills, and three digs. Tenley Dowless matched her kill total with four of her own and added one ace and two blocked shots.

Julia Flowers led the team in attacks with ten and added one ace, one kill, and one dig. Gracey Edwards contributed six attacks and two kills.

Addison Douglas added six digs, one ace, and one attack. Maylin McMichael recorded four attacks and one kill. Harlie Shaw had three digs and one ace.

Chloe Merritt and Avianna Whittington each added an ace in the win.

Bladenboro Middle School Girls Soccer

BLADENBORO, NC — Bladenboro opened its season in dominant fashion, defeating Williams 6-0 to extend an incredible win streak that now spans twenty straight games dating back to 2022.

Ashley Santos played the role of playmaker and scorer, finishing with one goal and two assists. Adyson Carroll netted two goals of her own, showing a knack for getting behind the defense.

Camarri Covington also tallied two goals, and Carley Rhodes added a goal late to cap the scoring.

Caity McLaurin stood tall in goal, posting a shutout win.

The coaching staff praised the entire team’s contribution, noting that every player got minutes and played a role in the team’s success.

Bladenboro Middle School Boys Soccer

BLADENBORO, NC — The Bladenboro boys saved all their fireworks for the second half, exploding for three goals to shut out Williams in a 3-0 home win.

Midfielder Keithan Russ was the difference-maker, facilitating the attack and anchoring the center of the field. He recorded two assists, setting up Eathan White’s goal and then finding Zion for a clean finish.

Tyler Thurman also added a goal during the scoring run, helping seal the win.

Bladenboro’s defense, anchored by Oxiel Campos, Jayden McCarty, Triton Bordeaux, and Edwin, was relentless throughout the match.

They denied Williams any clean looks at goal and cleared out pressure before it became dangerous.

Elizabethtown Middle School Girls Soccer

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC — Elizabethtown’s girls looked sharp from the opening whistle, controlling the tempo and rolling to a 6-0 win over East Columbus.

Valeria Ventura struck first, converting a pass from Racquel Whittington to give Etown a 1-0 lead.

Moments later, Allison Martinez added the second goal, and Britney Scarlett made it 3-0 before the halftime break.

In the second half, Whittington scored from a Scarlett assist, and Jeniyah Whittington followed with a goal of her own thanks to a pinpoint pass from Ventura.

Racquel finished the night with her second goal, wrapping up the 6-0 win in style.

The Cougars’ attack was dynamic, with five different players involved in goals.

The defense did its job, keeping the pressure off and maintaining structure throughout the match.

Elizabethtown Middle School Boys Soccer

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC — Elizabethtown’s boys found themselves in a high-pressure battle with East Columbus but emerged victorious after penalty kicks in a dramatic 1-1 finish.

Alejandro Gonzalez gave Etown an early lead in the first half after a smooth assist from Malikhi Bizzell.

East Columbus equalized early in the second half, and both teams settled into a physical, tight defensive game.

The match headed to penalty kicks, where Etown showed nerves of steel. David Sanchez, Alejandro Gonzalez, and Edgar Sanchez each converted their shots to secure the win.

The decisive shootout capped off a night where the team showed mental toughness and composure under pressure.

---

The Morning After: East Bladen Soccer Downs South Columbus, Middle School Soccer Kicks Off