Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — It took two teams to celebrate the Ohio Valley Conference’s first-ever soccer championship.
The South Point Pointers beat the Fairland Dragons 4-1 on Thursday to end the OVC race with a 6-1 record and tied with Gallipolis.
“It was senior night and a must-win game to be OVC champs. Our seven seniors knew what needed to happen and they stepped up and took care of business,” said Pointers’ coach Zane Joy.
“Hopefully, we can build on this five-game winning streak going into the tournament next week.”
South Point improved to 10-5-1 on the season.
Fairland is now 7-7-2- and 3-4-1 in the OVC.
The Pointers took a 3-0 first half lead and never looked back.
Merrick Harris scored five minutes into the game with an assist from Jake Helton.
Helton then scored two unassisted goal over a seven-minute span.
Jimmy Hart had an unassisted goal at the 54-minute mark of the second half and it was 4-0.
Fairland avoided the shutout at the 79-minute mark on a goal by Alex Naegele with an assist from Wyatt Morris.
In Division III sectional tournament play, South Point visits Warren at 5 p.m. next Thursday while Fairland hosts Portsmouth West at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Fairland    0    1    =    1
South Point    3    1    =    4
First Half
SP — Merrick Harris (Jake Helton assist) 5:00
SP — Jake Helton (unassisted) 25:00
SP — Jake Helton (unassisted) 32:00
Second Half
SP — Jimmy Hart (unassisted) 54:00
Fa — Alex Naegele (assist Wyatt Morris) 79:00
Goalkeeper—FHS: Alex Ward 9 saves: SP: Jordan Perkey 3 saves.