By Mike Zima, Correspondent Ian Areford saved 14 of 21 shots on goal to lift Edward B. Nease to an exciting 9-8 District 6 victory over visiting Fleming Island Friday night. Areford’s dexterity in the crease proved to be the difference in a close contest where the lead changed hands five times. The Golden Eagles outshot the hosts 33-29 but couldn’t get enough balls into the cage. Areford was especially effective in the first half, making six saves while allowing just two goals. Fleming Island had two quality chances to tie the game in the final minutes, but Areford denied both of them. First, Golden Eagles middie Nick Horrell faked out his man at the top of the box and moved within five feet of Areford before shooting. Areford reacted quickly, deflecting the waist-high ball with a gloved hand. Moments later, Areford got the edge of his stick on Jack Hawley’s high-bouncing shot from the right side of the box, with the ball going over the goal and rolling out of bounds as time expired. The combatants were tied 2-2 at the end of the first and second quarters as Fleming Island netminder Ryan Kelly matched Areford’s six saves. The Panthers turned the game in their favor in the last minute of the third quarter and the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, tallying four unanswered goals to turn a 5-4 deficit into an 8-5 lead. Attack Phil Mylet, who had two goals on the night to tie attack Brent Whiting for the team high, converted a wraparound drive from behind the goal while middie Joey Oliveira found the net on a long-distance bounce shot during the run. Middie Ashton Wood led the Panthers offense, winning 10 of 15 faceoffs, scoring a goal and assisting on two others. Two of Nease’s goals came on fast braeaks after Wood controlled the face off and raced unimpeded to the goal. The Golden Eagles, who hurt themselves with nine penalties, were led by sophomore Patrick Schreiber’s hat trick, while middie Sam Barrington had a goal and two assists. Defenseman Justin Szafranski beat Areford with a bounce shot for a goal while drawing a penalty. Nease, now 9-2, entertains Gainesville Buchholz Tuesday night date at the Panther Den. With their third loss by two or fewer goals, Fleming Island falls to 4-5. The Golden Eagles have six days off before returning to action March 10 at Bartram Trail.