GHS soccer takes down NPHS

Justin Hartman (12) of Greencastle takes the ball past Dylan Webster (8) of North Putnam on Thursday in the 3-0 win in Roachdale. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

ROACHDALE -- The North Putnam soccer game against Putnam County rival Greencastle Thursday began with hot, muggy weather and ended in a windy cool afternoon.

The Tiger Cubs held the advantage for most of the game winning 3-0.

"Passing was better," GHS coach J.D. Simms. "Our finishing was better. Losing that last game put the fire in our bellies to pick up this game."

Greencastle lost 3-2 to Southmont after leading 2-0 on Tuesday and Thursday GHS kept the pressure on the Cougars.

While North Putnam did push the ball up the field well at times and took twice as many shots on goal as, Greencastle earned the first goal with Derek Query nailing a shot to put the Tiger Cubs up 1-0.

"We played really well last week," Cougar coach David Moeller said. "We're trying to get us to play consistently with the same intensity and bring the same attitude every game."

North Puntam (3-6) has now lost two straight after winning two straight. Moeller said that his players wanted the victory but didn't perform up to the standards necessary.

"Before tonight we've been moving the ball pretty well," Moeller said. "We didn't play as well as we did in previous games. It was a big game with a conference team, local rival so and so. That's a game the really wanted to win. We just didn't play as well as we could have."

After a 1-0 lead at halftime Greencastle continued to pressure North Putnam. Justin Hartman netted a shot after Zach Wilkerson placed a pass over the middle.

Greencastle then put some icing on the cake when Evan Crowe took a shot from the left side bouncing it over the goal keeper for the score.

GHS will look for a sectional victory this year after an 8-5-1 season that ended in the Bethesda sectional. However Simms said the team is merely focused on the next game in order to improve as a team. The Tiger Cubs play Cascade Saturday, the school that bounced them from sectional play last season.

"Take every game in stride," Simms said. "The North Putnam game's over we have to get over that and look at the next game. It's Cascade which will be a better team than North Putnam."

North Putnam will play against Covington (5-1) Saturday.

Scoring

1st half

GHS -- Derek Query 11:21

2nd

GHS -- Justin Hartman 27:11

GHS -- Evan Crowe 17:20

Greencastle

Brody Watson: 3

Shots on Goal: 5

North Putnam

Bailey Allen: 4 saves

8 shots on goal