North Putnam ends GHS season in PKs

Tuesday, October 6, 2015
North Putnam's Kaelynn Abner (19) battles with Victoria Sampson (15) of Greencastle on Monday during the sectional girls' soccer match at Crawfordsville. Abner scored the only goal in regulation for the Cougars and North Putnam earned the win after two overtime periods and a penalty kick shootout. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- It was no accident the girls' soccer sectional matchup between North Putnam and Greencastle went into overtime. The teams have been evenly matched all season. The sectional game on Monday ended just as it did when these teams faced each other at the beginning of the season, in a 1-1 tie.

However unlike the regular season the match went into an overtime and then into penalty kicks.

After going back and forth it was North Putnam's Claire Sims against GHS' Claire Gillen in a battle of the goalies and Sims was able to put one by the freshman Tiger Cub to give the Cougars the lead.

She then had to turn around and make one last save and she was able to track the ball when it was kicked high and gained control of the ball to get the win for North Putnam.

"I usually just clear my mind," Claire Sims. "Or I try to do funny faces at them. It distracts them."

The goal she scoresdwas the first goal that Sims has ever scored and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time.

The goal was icing on the cake for North Putnam whose first goal was scored when Kaelynn Abner beat a crowd of Tiger Cubs to the ball near the box and was able to put it in the net.

"The biggest part of us coming away with yesterday's win was our ability to stay focused and play competitively for over 80 minutes of soccer," NPHS coach Chase Hiland said. "One of our struggles this year has been our slow starts, usually with us giving up large amounts of goals early in games before we get settled into the contest. We've had mental lapses that have cost us badly, but over the course of the past couple weeks, we've done a good job staying mentally into the games and of continuing to battle."

GHS' season ends at 9-5-2 and the teams will lose some key seniors who have helped form good connections both on and off the field.

"The seniors have been integral in laying the foundations for how the GHS girls' soccer program communicates, moves on and off the ball, and how they support each other," GHS coach Angie Weeks said. "Our team has grown over the season in how they have been able to deal with pressure and how they have pushed each other to succeed, make personal goals, and still have fun. This team loves the game and they have built lasting friendships."

GHS' score came in the first half when Gretchen Weliever managed to kick the ball in while around a crowd of Cougars.

"I expect to see continued leadership from our upperclassmen and excitement as we forge onward," Weeks said. "The girls' soccer program has been built on strength and character. I can't wait to see what the future holds for these girls."

Hiland said his Lady Cougars did a good job of fighting back after the loss.

Both teams were visibly exhausted as the second overtime wore on and Hiland said it'll take that effort to beat a Tri-West team Thursday.

"In order to keep winning, we have to be ready to compete from the get-go on Thursday," Hiland said. "Tri-West isn't a team that allows you to "settle in" to a game. If you aren't 100 percent from the start, you can find yourself down a few goals in 10 minutes. I think my team understands that."

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