New Palestine High School

The New Palestine boys soccer team has had a flair for the dramatic this season. For the fourth straight conference game, the Dragons went overtime Saturday afternoon against Delta. And once again, a penalty kick by Mark Everett provided the difference in the second half of extra time to give the Dragons a 3-2 victory. The Dragons are now 5-8 overall and 3-1 in Hoosier Heritage Conference play. They have won four straight games. The Dragons got off to a strong start, as Hector Medrano buried a free kick from 25 yards out in the sixth minute. His shot powered through the goalkeeper's hands and into the net. But Delta, which was content to play defensively and counter, was able to score in the 18th minute on a counterattack. The Dragons controlled possession and shots for much of the game, but each opportunity was snared by the Eagles' goalkeeper or missed the target. In the first half of extra time, the Dragons scored quickly as Liam Day fired a rocket from the top of the box into the net for an 82nd-minute goal, but Delta equalized less than 30 seconds later. At the end of the first half of extra time, Will Meek took a long shot and hit the goalpost just ahead of the buzzer. In the second half of extra time, Zach Holmes dribbled into the right side of the box and drew a foul as he attempted to make a turn. Everett buried the penalty for a goal in the 90th minute. The Dragons then controlled possession for the final four minutes, pinning the Eagles back in their defensive third, to see out the victory. There was no JV game. The Dragons are next in action Thursday at home against Shelbyville.