August 13 Soccer Roundup: Early Season Fireworks
The opening weekend of high school soccer in Columbus County delivered a cascade of goals and surprising draws, setting the tone for a competitive season.
East Columbus opened its campaign with a 4‑0 victory over South Columbus. Wilbert Avelland was the catalyst, netting two goals and adding an assist, while Jesus Jaimes and Ian Mitchell each contributed a strike that helped the team build an early 1‑0 lead before the final whistle.
South Columbus, despite the loss, showed resilience as they fell 0‑2 to Lakewood later that same day, underscoring the depth of competition in the league.
Mid‑Week Draws and Upcoming Road Tests
West Bladen and Lumberton played to a 2‑2 stalemate, with Alejandro Lopez Sandoval delivering both goals for the Knights, illustrating the team’s attacking firepower.
The Knights will hit the road on August 24 to face West Columbus, a test that could determine their early standing in the conference.
Lumberton, sitting at 0‑2, are scheduled to meet Richmond County on August 19, hoping to reverse their early-season slump.
Meanwhile, East Bladen is set to travel to Wilmington on August 14 to take on Purnell Swett, while Whiteville will host West Brunswick on the same date, adding another layer of excitement to the weekend slate.
The schedule also features a much‑anticipated rematch as East Columbus will host South Columbus again on August 19, giving both sides another chance to fine‑tune their tactics before the season progresses.
Looking Ahead
With several key players already making their mark, coaches are expected to adjust strategies as the season unfolds. The upcoming fixtures promise more twists, and fans can look forward to a series of tightly contested matches across the county.