Soccer Game Preview: River Bluff vs. J.L. Mann

The River Bluff Gators are taking a road trip to face off against the J.L. Mann Patriots at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. River Bluff will be looking to extend their current four-game winning streak.

River Bluff is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. While the 1-1 score might suggest a draw, it was the Gators who were credited with the victory. River Bluff got it done in the shootout by posting four goals to Blythewood's three. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since March 31, 2017, but that streak is no more.

J.L. Mann is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of South Carolina's top teams: Mauldin, who was ranked 11th at the time (J.L. Mann was ranked third). The Patriots won by a goal and slipped past the Mavericks 1-0. The game was the first time J.L. Mann have beaten Mauldin on their pitch since April 13, 2023.

J.L. Mann's one-goal win came courtesy of Ellie Pestrak, which was the first she's scored this season.

The win made it two in a row for J.L. Mann and bumps their season record up to 16-3-1. As for River Bluff, their victory bumped their record up to 16-4.

River Bluff came up short against J.L. Mann in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, falling 2-0. Can the Gators avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.