New Palestine High School

The New Palestine boys soccer team conceded two goals in the first four minutes and then allowed two more late goals in a 4-1 defeat Tuesday at Franklin. The Grizzly Cubs scored 61 seconds into the game, and then added a fourth-minute goal to take a 2-0 lead. The Dragons answered in the 13th minute, as Cole Christopher played a ball through the box to Elliott Canova at the far post. With the goalkeeper off his line, Canova took a touch past the keeper and put it away to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Dragons nearly had the equalizer in the 35th minute, as Christopher fed Joey Hicks at the top of the box. The Franklin keeper scrambled off his line and was able to make a stop. In the 45h minute, Canova took a throw-in and was open from 12 yards away, but his turnaround effort for the far post missed just wide. Franklin scored in the 66th minute and added a disputed goal in the 69th minute after being awarded a penalty on a challenge near the corner. For the second time in the game, Jake Wells stopped the penalty. On the follow, the ball was punched into the net but it was initially ruled offside. After a long discussion, the officials reversed their call and awarded the goal. The Dragons had two late scoring chances - Christopher hit the crossbar with a shot on a nice buildup in the 74th minute, and Andon Colclazier's rocket of a shot forced a sprawling save in the 77th. Wells stopped two penalties in the match, and also had two point-blank saves in the 28th minute - one while on the ground - to keep his team in the match. The Dragons are now 8-7 on the season. They conclude the regular season Thursday at home against Pendleton Heights. The Dragons and Grizzly Cubs played to a 0-0 draw in a JV game that was shortened to 40 minutes due to inclement weather.