Paris blanks Greenville Lions, 3-0
March 8, 2011

By David Claybourn
Herald-Banner Sports Editor

Paris shut out Greenville in District 19-4A soccer on Monday night at T.A. "Cotton" Ford Stadium, handing the Lions a 3-0 loss.

The Wildcats owned a 15-5 advantage in shots on goal as they improved to 15-5-1 for the season and 6-1 in district play.

Greenville dropped to 3-11-2 and 3-4.

"We could have had four goals tonight," said Lions coach Jeff Crank. "We were very unlucky."

Blake Beshirs scored Paris' first goal early in the first half off an assist from Coltin Dagenhart as the Wildcats went into halftime leading 1-0.

"The first goal was a miscommunication on the defense," said Crank.

Gabriel Vera headed in a cross from Ilmi Mehmeti for the second goal with 15:52 remaining.

"The second goal we gave away a silly foul," said Crank, who noted that the Wildcats' height advantage paid off on the header.

Andres Rivera capped scoring for Paris with a shot from about 20 yards with 1:02 remaining following a feed from Jose Carias.

Despite the loss, the Lions are still in the running for a playoff spot.

"If we take care of business we'll end up third," said Crank.

The Lions' junior varsity won 2-1, getting goals from Israel Laredo and Eliseo Franco.