North Putnam takes win over Owen Valley Tuesday

North Putnam's Dalton Krominaker (7) outruns a Patriot to gain possession of the ball Tuesday at home. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

ROACHDALE -- An early score turned into a gritty 1-0 win for the North Putnam boys' soccer team. While the Cougars played tough against Owen Valley the Patriots were able to keep the pressure on but unable to get any decent shots on goal.

In fact, it was the defense of North Putnam that allowed Alex Krominaker the game-winning score.

"Our defense did a great job of winning the ball in the air," NPHS coach David Moeller said. "That particular instance, their goalie punted the ball out. Our defender won the ball and headed it to one of the guys in the midfield. He took it for one or two touches and played another guy through. He was just in on goals. It was all real quick one-two touch play and we got the goal."

Moeller said while it wasn't the best-played game of soccer for the Cougars he will take the win at this point.

"Winning the ball is huge," Moeller said. "There are things that we've been doing that needed to be worked on in the last game. Winning the ball was huge. We did a great job of that tonight and containing guys, not just stabbing at the ball and forcing the other team to play."

North Putnam (4-7) definitely benefited from this win as the team nears the final parts of the regular season.

"We've got a good stretch of games coming up here that we can get a good run going into the sectional," Moeller said. "We're just looking forward to these next five or six games and putting together a good streak."