Newman Smith shuts down Lions in soccer playoff
March 25, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

LUCAS -- A slow start in the first half hurt the Greenville Lions as they lost 3-0 to the Carrollton Newman Smith Trojans in a Class 4A area soccer playoff on Tuesday at Lucas Lovejoy.

“We didn’t play well at all in the first half,” said Lions coach Jeff Crank. “We were timid and shy, giving them too much space.”

Jameson Lopez of Newman Smith capitalized on the Lions’ early lapses to score two goals in the first half.

Trojan goalkeeper Edwin Salguero left his post to fire in the Trojans’ final goal on a penalty kick with 2:41 remaining.

The 12-6-3 Trojans will advance to the sectional round of the playoffs while the Lions finished at 12-7-2. Greenville was the District 20-4A champion.

“We can’t be too disappointed,” said Crank. “That’s (the district title) something positive we can take out of it for next year.”

Greenville managed only one shot on goal, that one by Ryan Wilhelm.

Newman Smith kept Greenville goalkeeper Matt Mouer busy as he finished with six saves.

Mouer had no chance on the Trojans’ first goal, a rocket shot from about 20 yards by Lopez that settled into the far left corner of the net with 22 minutes left in the first half. R.J. Barrientos was credited with the assist.

Jordan Stubbs set up Lopez’s second goal with a cross that Lopez then blasted into the net from about 16 yards with 12:57 left before halftime.

Salguero capped scoring with his penalty kick. Mouer guessed correctly, diving to his right but still couldn’t reach the shot.

Newman Smith’s speed caused the Lions some problems, according to Crank.

“We just didn’t have an answer for their speed,” he said.

Crank said he was proud of the Lions’ effort in the second half.

“They knew they were in a game,” he said.