Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — The teamwork was working.

The Chesapeake Panthers used strong teamwork to beat the Grace Christian Soldiers 3-1 on Tuesday.

“Teamwork, plain and simple,” said Panthers’ coach Steve McCloud. “We are playing better team ball than we have all year.

“Our defense is a stubborn and aggressive group and our offensive players are finding their lanes and finding their targets.”

The Soldiers used a penalty shot to take a 1-0 lead, but the Panthers tied the game on a well-executed curving corner kick by Wesley Stephens.

Logan McCloud put the Panthers ahead with a goal assisted by Sawyer Stephens.

“I was hoping the goalkeeper wasn’t going to make it to the ball in time. We just wanted this game so badly, especially for the seniors,” said Logan McCloud.

Senior defenders Joey Haynes and Ryan Garcia stopped a breakaway attempt by Grace Christian to end the half and the Panthers used the momentum to shutout the Soldiers in the second half.

Logan McCloud scored his second goal of the game in the second half to seal the win.

“We had six different players take shots, something we haven’t had so far. Now we just have to get them to go in to the goal. We are a work in progress, but these guys are definitely getting there,” said coach McCloud.

On Thursday, Ohio Valley Christian beat the Panthers 3-0 in the regular season finale.

OVC held a 31-12 advantage in shots and 24-10 in shots on goal. The Defenders had eight corner kicks to the Panthers’ four.

Marshall Hood led OVC (6-7-1) with six net saves and Micah Sanders had four. Chesapeake goalie Blake Ridenour finished with 21 saves.