Through Adversity and Adapting Conditions, East Bladen Soccer Keeps Flying in NCHSAA 1A Playoffs
- Austin Smith
- May 16
- 4 min read
Elizabethtown, NC - Weather delays, key injuries, and quick turnarounds would derail most teams. But for East Bladen’s girls soccer squad, those challenges have only brought them closer—and stronger.
The Lady Eagles pushed through muddy conditions and back-to-back playoff matches within 24 hours this past week to secure wins over Rosewood (4-1) and Southern Wake Academy (4-0), improving to 16-1-2 overall and advancing to the third round of the NCHSAA 1A playoffs.
“This is a tough group of kids,” said Head Coach Jay Raynor. “What’s scary is that I don’t think they even realize their potential yet.”
NCHSAA 1A Round One: Set Pieces Make the Difference vs. Rosewood
Wednesday’s first-round match was originally scheduled for Monday but delayed due to heavy rains. By the time the teams took the field in Elizabethtown, the surface was still waterlogged and far from ideal—but East Bladen adjusted quickly.
Just two minutes in, Gabriela Rebollar swung in a corner that found Iveonna “NeNe” Ward. The connection was clean, and East Bladen took a quick 1-0 lead.
Coach Raynor called it plainly: “Way less than ideal conditions. We were at the mercy of the weather and the field. It neutralized all of our speed and ability to attack, but our set piece execution was the difference.”
Gabby doubled the lead with a perfectly-placed free kick in the 44th minute, and while Rosewood pulled one back on a free kick of their own in the 62nd, East Bladen wasn’t rattled.
In the 67th minute, Macey Potter timed her run perfectly and slotted home a third goal, once again off a setup from Gabby.
Then, in the 74th, Gabby was fouled in the box and calmly buried the penalty to seal her second goal—and fourth goal contribution—of the night.
“Gabby has been on a tear,” said Raynor. “Four set piece contributions… she was the difference-maker.”
NCHSAA 1A Round Two: Cleaner Field, Same Mentality
The field was firmer for Thursday’s second-round match against Southern Wake Academy, but conditions were still far from ideal. The Lady Eagles were also missing NeNe Ward due to concussion-like symptoms, forcing adjustments both tactically and emotionally.
Still, the team wasted no time asserting themselves. Just four minutes in, Jakie Medina-Leal finished a threaded pass from Gabby to open the scoring. Five minutes later, Gabby scored again—this time curling a corner kick directly into the net.
Then in the 19th minute, freshman Kenley Parks stepped into a loose ball and sent a long-range strike from 30 yards out into the goal, a moment that electrified the sideline and built a 3-0 cushion.
Jakie added her second goal of the night in the 41st minute, finishing off a pass from Leah McGill with confidence. Despite playing as the lone forward for much of the game, Jakie carved up the defense with energy and intelligence.
“Jakie was on a different level tonight,” said Raynor. “She went up against five defenders and had her way with them.”
But it wasn’t just the attack that carried East Bladen.
Facing a 50-goal scorer in Southern Wake’s Hannah Torri, the back line rose to the moment. Macey Potter took on the tough task of man-marking Torri and kept her quiet for all 80 minutes. When Southern Wake did earn dangerous free kicks, keeper Aubri Nixon stepped up with key saves.
“Macey’s as tough as they come,” said Raynor. “And Aubri made excellent saves when it counted.”
Several underclassmen also stepped up big. Kayelynn Chambers made her first varsity start and played over 65 minutes. Julia Flowers controlled the midfield late in the second half.
Freshman Bella Beard provided crucial minutes in rotation, helping relieve pressure on the wings. And senior Anna Miranda was the vocal anchor, organizing the back line and ensuring East Bladen didn’t concede.
“The Southern Wake coach told us afterward how impressed he was with our team’s structure and organization,” Raynor shared. “That says a lot about our girls and the leadership we have.”
What’s Next: Round Three & a Look Ahead
East Bladen will host the winner of #5 Wake Prep Academy and #12 East Wake Academy on Monday at 6 p.m., assuming the time remains as scheduled.
Both potential opponents come from the Super Six 1A/2A split conference, which explains a few quirks in the seeding. Wake Prep earned the top playoff seed from their conference as the highest-finishing 1A team, despite East Wake Academy actually being ranked higher in the MaxPreps 1A East rankings (#6 vs. Wake Prep’s #7).
Either opponent will present a challenge, with strong resumes and postseason experience.
Scoring Summary
Round 1 vs Rosewood (4-1):
2’ – NeNe Ward (Gabby Rebollar – corner)
44’ – Gabby Rebollar (free kick)
62’ – Rosewood (free kick)
67’ – Macey Potter (Gabby Rebollar)
74’ – Gabby Rebollar (penalty kick)
Round 2 vs Southern Wake Academy (4-0):
4’ – Jakie Medina-Leal (Gabby Rebollar)
9’ – Gabby Rebollar (corner kick goal)
19’ – Kenley Parks (unassisted)
41’ – Jakie Medina-Leal (Leah McGill)
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, Iveonna "NeNe" Ward, Jackie Medina-Leal, Leanh McGill, Gabriela Rebollar, Anna Miranda, Kaelyn Eason, Marlee Potter, Lexi Ventura, Macey Potter, Annika Bass.
Through Adversity and Adapting Conditions, East Bladen Soccer Keeps Flying in NCHSAA 1A Playoffs
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