LUMBERTON — Lightning put a stop to a non-conference soccer match between East Bladen and Lumberton early in the second half, but the Eagles had already built a 2-0 lead that kept them undefeated in the young season.

East Bladen worked a nice combination off a free kick from near midfield about 10 minutes into the match when Caleb Hatchell hit Irvin Hernandez with a perfect pass, and Hernandez bumped it to Pierce Melvin who headed the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles kept the pressure on throughout the rest of the half but could not convert a goal.

In the second half, as the weather worsened, Brooks McGill scored early on another free kick from about 25 yards out to double the Eagles’ lead.

Two minutes later, lightning suspended then ended the match.

Spencer Scott was credited with three saves in goal for East Bladen.

The Eagles are now 2-0 and will host Midway on Wednesday in a non-conference match.

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Volleyball

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— In Red Springs on Thursday, the Lady Knights took a tough Three Rivers Conference loss to host Red Springs in five sets by the scores of 19-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-21 and 15-9.

The loss sent West Bladen to an 0-4 overall and 0-2 conference mark.

In the deciding game, the Lady Knights and Lady Red Devils were knotted at 7-7 when Red Springs went on an 8-2 run to close out the match.

Raegan Davis slammed home 12 kills for West Bladen along with three blocks and five aces; Mikayla Winebarger had five aces, three kills and a block; Elizabeth Allbright contributed eight kills and a block; Patience Parker had five kills and three aces; Alise Pait had three kills and an ace; Lexie Corrothers had four kills and an ace; Caroline Davis had a kill and an ace; Madison Collins had an ace; and Callie Lewis had a kill and an ace.

“The varsity played hard and put up a good fight,” said coach Gayle Davis. “They are learning each other and starting to play well together. We have to find a way to seal the deal.”

The Lady Knights will host East Columbus in a conference match on Tuesday.

Lady Knights drop tough volleytball match