Thursday NPHS roundup: Boys soccer, tennis win

Boys soccer

New Palestine 2, Greenfield-Central 1, SO: The Dragons connected on four of their five shots in the penalty-kick shootout and NP goalkeeper Jaron Pridgen made two diving saves on four G-C shots to give the Dragons a big HHC victory.

NP won the shootout by a 4-2 score.

The win for NP forges a four-way tie atop the HHC standings in the loss column, as Mt. Vernon (4-1), New Palestine (3-1), Greenfield-Central and Shelbyville (both 2-1) all have one loss in HHC play. G-C still has games remaining against both Shelbyville and an OT against MV.

Bryson Basaran scored at the 29:18 mark for NP, taking a feed from Caleb Kramer from the midfield circle. Basaran received the ball 25 yards away, dribbled into the box, drew G-C goalkeeper Jared Potter off his line and punched the ball into the vacated net.

The Cougars finally tied the game with 80 seconds left on a goal by Angel Rodriguez.

Both teams had two shots in OT, but neither scored. Pridgen stopped 11 shots for the Dragons, who forced G-C goalkeeper Jared Potter to make seven saves.

In the shootout, after the first player missed, the next four Dragons -- Basaran, Kramer, Pridgen and Josh Jennings -- scored. Meanwhile, after Rodriguez scored on G-C's first shot, Pridgen saved the next two. G-C scored on the fourth, but Jennings' goal made a last kicker moot for G-C.

"Another New Palestine vs. Greenfield-Central game for the record books," NP coach Bobby Holden said. "I'm very proud of our boys' efforts tonight. Greenfield-Central is a respectable team and they played a great game. Jaron Pridgen was the player of the game scoring a PK and coming up with 2 big PK saves in the shootout to help secure the win. I always love this matchup and it is always such a great game for everyone involved. Thanks to all the fans for their support tonight. We are looking forward to the upcoming games next week."

The Dragons are now 7-3-1 and 3-1 in HHC play. They next play Tuesday against Center Grove in a match that will be broadcast at HancockCountySports.com.

NP won the JV game 1-0.

Volleyball

Pendleton Heights 3, New Palestine 1: The Dragons won a tight first game, but fell to PH 24-26, 25-21, 26-24, 25-14. 

NP is now 7-10 on the year. The Dragons are 1-3 in HHC play, and compete in the Warren Central Invitational Saturday.

Tennis

New Palestine 5, Triton Central 0: The Dragons swept the Tigers for their third 5-0 victory in a week.

Brent Barrett won 6-4, 6-2. Stratton Smith had a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Connor Swain won 6-1, 6-0 to sweep the singles.

At No. 1 doulbes, Evan Poole/Shayan Khokhar won 6-3, 6-1. Pete Rusche/David Thompson posted a 6-1, 6-1 decision at No. 2 doubles.

NP is now 9-3 overall and plays at Warren Central Monday.

The Dragons won the JV match 6-0.

Schedule changes

The volleyball game originally scheduled for Monday against Knightstown has been canceled. The Sept. 28 football game at Shelbyville is now a 7 p.m. kickoff, rather than 7:30 as initially published.

Friday's schedule

Football: at Rushville, 7 p.m. (Broadcast: WIFE 94.3)

Saturday's schedule

Girls soccer: at Delta, 11 a.m./1 p.m.

Volleyball: at Warren Central Invitational, 9 a.m.

Cross country: at FlashRock Invitational, 9 a.m. at Northview Christian Life Church, Carmel

Golf: Sectional at Old Oakland

JV volleyball: at Brebeuf Invitational, 9 a.m.

9th/JV football: vs. Rushville, 10 a.m.