Soccer sectional: MV, NP to battle for championship

Mt. Vernon and New Palestine will meet for the boys soccer sectional championship Saturday night at Shelbyville. (A live webcast will be right here at ihigh.com/hancockcountysports). Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Mt. Vernon beat Greenfield-Central 2-0 in the first semifinal Wednesday to earn a spot in the boys soccer sectional championship game at Shelbyville.

The Marauders tallied goals in each half, while Corban Hartley made five saves for his fourth shutout of the season. MV's top two scorers -- Mouhamed Konate and C.J. Coleman -- each found the net for the Marauders. Konate scored on an assist from Josiah Noska in the first half for his 21st goal of the season. Aaron Gilpin assisted on Coleman's ninth of the year in the second.

The victory was MV's second over G-C in a week -- the Marauders scored two goals in OT last Wednesday to win a resumed game 3-1 over the Cougars -- and sent the Marauders into the sectional final. It also means the sectional will have a new champion, as G-C was the defending champ.

MV is now 10-6-2 on the season. G-C finishes the year with an 8-7 mark.

In the second semifinal, New Palestine got a first-half goal from Alex Thomas, and the Dragons' defense made it stand up in a 1-0 victory over host Shelbyville.

Thomas scored on an assist from Caleb Kramer late in the first half. Kramer launched a free kick to the far post, where Thomas headed it in.

Jaron Pridgen posted his fifth shutout of the year in the NP net. It was NP's fourth 1-0 victory of the year -- and the third time Thomas tallied the lone goal in one of those wins. He has five goals on the season.

"Sectional games are always exciting and tonight was another exciting sectional game," NP coach Bobby Holden said. "We played good soccer and came away with an exciting 1-0 win over a very talented Shelbyville team.

"The game-winning goal came from a great free kick from Kramer who served a ball far post to Thomas who rose up and headed the ball into the net. I'm very proud of our defense, as well. They played a great game and recorded the much-needed shutout."

NP's victory avenged a 2-1 loss to Shelbyville on Sept. 6. The Dragons are 10-6-1.

The Dragons will be seeking their first sectional title since capping off four straight in 2009. MV last won a sectional championship in 2010.

Boys soccer
Shelbyville sectional
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Mt. Vernon 2, Greenfield-Central 0
New Palestine 1, Shelbyville 0
Saturday, Oct. 6
7:30 p.m.: Mt. Vernon vs. New Palestine (webcast: HancockCountySports.com)
Winner goes to: Mt. Vernon regional, Oct. 11/13 (10/11 vs. Perry Meridian sectional winner, 7:15 p.m.; final 7:30 p.m. Saturday 10/13)

Girls soccer
Mt. Vernon sectional
Thursday, Oct. 4
5:30 p.m.: Shelbyville vs. Greenfield-Central
7:15 p.m.: New Palestine vs. Mt. Vernon
Saturday, Oct. 6
5 p.m.: Championship
Winner goes to: Shelbyville regional, Oct. 10/13 (10/10 vs. Shelbyville sectional winner, 7 p.m.; final 7 p.m. Saturday 10/13)