North Putnam wins shootout, beats Greencastle for first time

North Putnam goalkeeper Michael Ali makes what would prove to be the match-winning save during the penalty shootout following a 0-0 stalemate between the Cougars and Greencastle Monday night. North Putnam picked up its first win over the Tiger Cubs in school history after the shootout was declared over following the seventh set of penalty takes with the Cougars leading 5-4.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

There was elation. Despondency. Water coolers thrown. Appeals. Wild yelps and angry stares.

Mostly, there was just confusion.

Greencastle and North Putnam played out a 0-0 match Monday night which, due to its status as a WIC boys’ soccer match, required a winner and penalties were ordered to break the deadlock.

After the first 10 spot kicks were taken, the teams were level at 4-4 and a new round of kicks ordered.

After 20 spot kicks, the teams were still tied, this time at 7-7, and it was at this point a conference between coaches, officials and administrators started, dragging on past 10 p.m. before it was decided that sudden death rules would be applied to the second set of penalties.

As a result, one in which the visitors had an advantage after the seventh round at the spot, the Cougars were declared the winners, picking up their first win over the Tiger Cubs in school history.

All of the drama followed what had been a much more controlled 80 minutes than in previous outings between the teams.

Chances were very limited in the first half and the best of the bunch both came on moments where the Greencastle defense was too casual with the ball.

North Putnam forward Nolan Hackleman was able to dispossess defenders twice in the first 20 minutes with the first attempt thwarted by Harris Weltz and the second ending in a shot that was narrowly over from a tight angle.

Much of the rest of the half was a midfield battle that the Tiger Cubs shaded but could not control as the two teams scrapped for possession in a constant whirlpool of movement.

Neither keeper was troubled until the final 30 seconds when Brakston Taylor sent a low shot in that forced Michael Ali into a comfortable save that kept the score 0-0 at halftime.

A much more open second half was on the table as holes in both defenses began to open, Kaden Helderman the first to take a shot that Weltz was able to easily deal with.

Greencastle had a series of shots in quick order as Milyn Tucker shot wide, Micah Foss was saved by Ali from distance, Dylan Olson sent in a long distance drive that was snagged and Foss forced a fingertip save in what was the best effort on target.

On the other end, Matt Farrington forced a save from Weltz after a header in the midfield eluded several players before a double stop from an Evan Polley corner kept the score level at 0-0.

The flurry of action followed another period of battle in the midfield and outside of a few pot shots, play bogged down until the end of regulation.

Extra time was skipped in favor of penalties with North Putnam getting the first shot and missing over the bar.

Each subsequent kick went in until Greencastle had a chance to win the match, only to see the last kick go right up the middle and into Ali’s grateful hands.

A second set of 10 spot kicks were ordered with the first two of the second session saved.

Isaac Polley scored the next shot and the following Tiger Cub strike was saved by Ali.

North Putnam missed it next attempt and Greencastle was able to tie it with both sides scoring out and tying the session again at 7-7, from whence the game met its ultimate conclusion after 25 minutes of discussion.