BLINN MEN EARN 2-1 VICTORY OVER PARIS

(Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information)

The Blinn College men's soccer team grabbed a first-half lead over Paris Junior College and used an insurance goal in the second to hold off the Dragons for a 2-1 victory Tuesday in Paris, Texas.

The Region XIV win pushed the Buccaneers to 6-2-2 overall on the year and 3-1 in region play. The victory helped Blinn keep pace with fifth-ranked Angelina College as the two teams remained tied for first place in the Region XIV South.

"It wasn't our best performance, but the lads found a way to grind out another result," Blinn head coach Micheal McBride said. " To win on the road in Region 14 is hard, so the points we picked up today are huge."

Freshman defender Adrian Nieto-Saul got the Bucs going in the first half when he converted an assist from freshman midfielder Charlie Goldsmith into a 1-0 cushion in the 20th minute.

Freshman forward Ethan Lindo scored what proved to be the game-winning tally in the 57th minute. Lindo's team-leading ninth goal of the season was aided by Nieto-Saul and freshman forward Joseph Afful.

The Dragons cut into their deficit with a goal in the 81st minute.

The Bucs out-shot Paris 23-11, including 13 shots on goal.

Freshman netminder Connor Vela put forth a solid effort for the Bucs in goal, where he recorded five saves en route to his sixth win. 

Blinn will have a chance to claim sole possession of first place in the Region XIV South when it hosts Angelina for a 7:30 p.m. showdown on Friday at Rankin Field in Brenham, Texas.