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Lions 'slosh' their way to soccer win
March 16, 2009
 By
DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff
COMMERCE -- On a
very cold and wet Friday that caused cancellations or
postponements of all other sporting events in Hunt County,
the Greenville Lions sloshed their way to a 3-0 soccer
victory over Commerce.
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Photo By David
Claybourn /
Herald-Banner Staff |
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Ryan Rumph
(right) causes a splash as he challenges Emmanuel Rendon
of Commerce for possession of the ball during the
Greenville Lions’ 3-0 victory on Friday in Commerce. |
The players
braved conditions that included temperatures in the 30s,
wind gusts up to 22 mph, rain and standing water ranging
from a couple of inches on the Tigers’ field to ankle deep
along the sidelines.
It was a heck of
a way for the Tigers to be celebrate senior day. Six
seniors and their parents waded through the water for
their appearance in a brief pre-game ceremony. Commerce
seniors include Jose Mojica, Jared Turner, Joey Farquar,
RaeVaughn Cook, Jake McCarty and Devin Felts.
Once the game
started players had trouble staying on their feet,
slipping, sliding, splashing and tumbling. Even one of the
officials slipped and slid for several feet in the water
along the sidelines.
Greenville had
to win this one to stay in at least a tie with Sulphur
Springs for first place in District 20-4A, pending the
results of the Wildcats’ game against North Lamar.
Greenville
completed 20-4A play with an 8-1-1 record and will advance
to the playoffs.
Commerce
finished at 0-7-3 in district including two losses to the
Lions. Greenville also won 5-0 in Greenville on Feb. 24.
Dagin Douglas, a
former Commerce student, scored Greenville’s first goal
with 31:16 left in the first half. Douglas booted in a
deflected shot.
Ryan Wilhelm put
Greenville up 2-0 before halftime when he headed in a shot
over the reach of Commerce goalkeeper Devin Felts, who
leaped in the air to challenge Greenville’s junior
midfielder.
Grant Boshart
capped scoring for the Lions with 22:46 remaining when the
booted in a deflected shot.
Felts stayed
busy, turning away several promising scoring opportunities
for the Lions. He saved a header by Wilhelm that was
headed into the goal and also snagged a hard shot by Chris
Gutierrez. Gutierrez nearly missed on another try that
struck the crossbar.
Greenville took
20 shots including 12 on goal.
Greenville
goalkeeper Matt Mouer wound up with two saves.
The Lions have
earned a first-round bye for the playoffs.
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