Lady Lions blank Princeton, 5-0
March 10, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- Greenville’s Lady Lions closed out the regular season in soccer on Monday night with a 5-0 blanking of Princeton.

The Lady Lions clinched at least second place in District 20-4A with a 6-1-1 district record and will advance to the second round of the playoffs. They’ve received a bye for the first round.

“This was a good way to close the season out,” said Lady Lions coach Ron Beck. “Everybody got to play.”

Prior to the game the Lady Lions honored seven seniors appearing for the last time in soccer at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium. Recognized were manager Diana Vargas, plus players Lupe Alvarez, Maci Bradford, Haley Lawson, Alex Patterson, Sydney Phillips and Megan Warren.

Sophomore Katelyn Twilley gave the Lady Lions an early 2-0 lead as she broke through twice for goals at the 24:12 and 15:46 mark of the first half. Ellen Robins was credited with the assist on the second goal. Twilley’s first goal was unassisted as she worked the ball through the last line of defense before blasting the ball into the net from about 15 yards.

Bailey Phillips scored the first of her two goals at the 34:15 mark of the second half.

Twilley completed a hat trick with a goal with 22:20 left. Princeton’s goalkeeper got her hands on the ball but the officials ruled she was over the line.

Phillips capped scoring with 14 minutes remaining.

Alvarez and Sondra Zaquez combined for the shutout in goal.

Alvarez, after getting pulled as goalkeeper, took to the field to play forward and nearly scored on three opportunities.

Greenville wound up with a 16-1 advantage in shots on goal.

There was only a varsity match played as Princeton called off the last half of its junior varsity schedule.

Beck said the Greenville playoff game won’t be scheduled until after the Lady Lions return from spring break on March 23.

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The Greenville Lions will resume District 20-4A play at 5 p.m. today at Princeton.

The game’s been moved up from a schedule 6 p.m. starting time because of lighting issues at the Panthers’ practice field. Greenville coach Jeff Crank said the plan is to try to finish the game before it gets dark.

“I’m just worried about the rain because it rains that field could be a mess,” said Crank.

Greenville is 6-1-1 in district play after trimming North Lamar 2-1 on Saturday. Ryan Wilhelm scored off an assist from Luis Serrato and Denim Douglas scored an unassisted goal.

There’s only a varsity match scheduled as Princeton has no junior varsity.

Greenville, which has another district match scheduled for Friday at Commerce, is tied with Sulphur Springs for the district lead. Both teams have scored 17 points with three points awarded for a victory in regulation, two for a victory in overtime and one for a loss in overtime.