Freshman scores hat trick in soccer win
February 20, 2010

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- Freshman Maddy Crabtree scored a hat trick in her varsity debut to keep the Greenville Lady Lions undefeated in District 20-4A soccer with a 3-1 victory over Princeton on Friday night at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium.

Crabtree, who helped the Lady Lions’ basketball team to a playoff berth, officially joined the soccer team after the basketball team lost its bi-district playoff game to No. 7 state-ranked Frisco on Tuesday night.

Crabtree didn’t waste any time after hitting the soccer field about six minutes into the game. She scored the game’s first goal with 27:50 left in the first half off an assist from Priscilla Carrillo.

Crabtree set up a second goal for the Lady Lions that would have made it 2-0 later in the half as Bailey Phillips’ shot from 10 yards found the net. But the Lady Lions were flagged for offsides and the goal was disallowed.

Chele Naudin tied the game for Princeton with 1:12 left before the half by taking a long punt from goalkeeper Chanin Naudin and beating the Lady Lions’ defense for a breakway goal.

Crabtree put the Lady Lions back up 2-1 with 37:09 left in the second half, heading in a corner kick by Phillips.

Phillips also set up Crabtree’s final goal with 29:12 remaining that made it 3-1.

Greenville kept constant pressure on Princeton’s defense, with a 20-4 advantage in shots on goal.

“It was a good outing,” said Lady Lions coach Ron Beck. “We started getting our crosses.

“We actually got better finishes tonight, having Maddy on the field. Maddy’s got enough good experience from all her club (soccer) work. She’s solid,” he said.

Greenville goalkeepers Emelie Kilgore and Ellen Robins combined for three saves.

Greenville stayed atop the District 20-4A leaderboard with a 3-0-1 district record. The Lady Lions are now 7-3-1 for the season.

Princeton remained winless in district play.

There was no junior varsity match.

The Lady Lions’ junior varsity will play on Monday at home against Anna, starting at 6 p.m.

The next schedule game for the Lady Lions’ varsity is on Feb. 27 at home against Sulphur Springs, starting at 1 p.m.