The two Paris varsity soccer teams swept Bonham in District 11-4A shutouts Tuesday night at Wildcat Stadium. The Ladycats won by a 7-0 count, while the Wildcats posted a 4-0 win.
The win by the Paris boys kept them atop district standings with an important match at home on Friday against Princeton. The Cats beat the Panthers in a shootout in their previous meeting and a win Friday would ensure a district championship.
The Ladycats, meanwhile, pull into a second-place tie with North Lamar before Friday’s visit to Princeton. The Lady Panthers can clinch the district title with a win over Paris.
The Wildcats started slowly against Bonham. Junior Zach Lamb’s goal gave Paris a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Cats picked up an own goal in the second half when sophomore Nick Mitchell beat two defenders for a shot on goal that was misplayed into the Bonham net on the rebound. Junior Colin Harris scored a highlight reel goal to make it a 3-0 score. On a dead sprint, Harris controlled a pass that was behind him, then split a pair of defenders to beat the Bonham goalie.
The final goal came from senior Justin Mitchell on a 35-yard shot over the goalie’s head. It was his 8th goal of the season.
Paris coach Jeremy Beshirs cited freshman son Kyler Beshirs, junior Stanley Watkins, sophomore Felx Vasquez, senior Rodolfo Medina, and sophomore Cole Miller for their offensive play off the bench. He also credited backup goaltender, junior Kyson Hogue, with a great save to preserve the shutout.
The Ladycats had no problem with the Lady Warriors on Senior Night. Junior Tieren Gates scored a pair of goals, while other scorers were sophomores Katy Hall, Zanesha Dangerfield, and Estephany Balderas, junior Anahdian Mitchell, and senior Monica Silva. Assists were logged by Hall (2), Balderas, Silva, and sophomore Deagan Dingman.
Balderas returned to the lineup after missing the previous two matches (both 0-3 losses) with an injury.