Gators, Vikings Eliminated in Opening Round of Carolina Conference Tournament

BY COASTAL CAROLINA NEWS STAFF

EAST BLADEN – 3
EAST COLUMBUS – 0

LAKEWOOD – 9
WEST COLUMBUS – 0

The postseason came to an early end for Columbus County’s 1A soccer programs on Monday, Oct. 26, as both East Columbus and West Columbus suffered opening-round shutout losses on the road in the Carolina Conference Tournament.

In Elizabethtown, the No. 6 seed East Columbus Gators were unable to generate offensive momentum against No. 3 seed East Bladen, falling 3–0.

The Cougars set the tone early when Ishaq Algozy set up Marco Ramos for the opening goal just minutes into the match. Algozy then doubled the lead himself before halftime, punching in an unassisted strike to send East Bladen into the break up 2–0.

Algozy struck again in the second half, delivering his second assist of the night on a goal by JD McArthur to cap the scoring. Despite solid defensive stands down the stretch, the Gators were unable to break through the Cougars’ backline.

With the loss, East Columbus falls to 4–12–1 overall. The Gators now await the release of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoff brackets to see if their regular season strength of schedule will secure them an at-large bid.

Over in Salemburg, the No. 8 seed West Columbus Vikings faced a formidable task against top-seeded Lakewood, falling 9–0 to the Leopards.

Lakewood controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, triggering the state mercy rule to advance to the tournament semifinals.

The loss officially concludes the 2026 campaign for the Vikings, who finish the season with a 1–17 overall record.

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