Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — Just call him “Super” Mario.

Mario Palladino registered a hat trick as he score half the South Point goals and the Pointers beat the Northwest Mohawks 6-1 Thursday in a soccer game.

Michael Lien got the Pointers’ first goal at the 9-minute mark with an assist from his brother Jesse Lien.

After an own goal to take a 2-0 lead, Palladino scored the next two goals within two minutes. Blake Eckert and Trey Kerns assisted on the goals, respectively.

Northwest scored on a penalty kick at the 50:00 mark of the second half, but 10 minutes later the Pointers answered on a goal by Danny Eckert with an assist by Liam Huff.

South Point’s final goal was an unassisted shot by Palladino at the 74:00 mark.

The Pointers’ goalkeeper Brady Rickard had two saves. Northwest registered 14 saves as South Point dominated the shots on goal.

South Point closed out its regular season 11-4-1.

The Pointers will now host Wheelersburg at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Northwest 0 1 = 1

South Point 4 2 = 6

First Half

SP — Michael Lien (assist Jesse Lien) 9:00

SP — Own goal 16:00

SP — Mario Palladino (assist Blake Eckert) 38:00

SP — Mario Palladino (assist Trey Kerns) 40:00

Second Half

NW — Penalty kick 50:00

SP — Danny Eckert (assist Liam Huff) 60:00

SP — Mario Palladino (unassisted) 74:00