New Palestine High School

The New Palestine boys soccer team needed less than four minutes to find the scoreboard Tuesday in its home opener, and took command of the game after halftime in a 5-1 victory over Whiteland. Cole Christopher tallied two goals and an assist to lead the Dragons. Paxton Holmes also had a goal and an assist. Christopher helped get the match started, as he attacked into the area and laid the ball off for Hudson Hughes, who rocketed a far-post shot into the net to get the Dragons on the board in the fourth minute. The Dragons had an opportunity to double the lead, but hit the woodwork from close range. Whiteland equalized in the 20th minute, but the Dragons scored right before halftime as Christopher buried a rebound of Holmes' shot in the 39th minute to re-take the lead at 2-1. Three minutes after halftime, Holmes scored to extend the lead to 3-1. Christopher added a 68th-minute goal on a solo attack through several Warriors, and then Will Bardonner tallied a 74th-minute goal on a feed from Clayton Moriarity to set the final margin. The Dragons are now 2-1 on the season. They next play Thursday at home against Franklin Central, with a 5:30 p.m. JV kickoff. The Dragons JV won 2-1, with Kayden Buck and Isaac Gauthier tallying the Dragons' goals.