Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — After the shock wore off, the South Point Lady Pointers wore on.
In the program’s first-ever game, the Rock Hill Redwomen jumped out to a 3-1 lead just 13 minutes into the game.
But the Lady Pointers collected themselves and rallied for a 5-3 Ohio Valley Conference win on Tuesday.
“Rock Hill came out fired up as I expected that they would,” said South Point first-year head coach Zach Jenkins.
“They got off to a fast start and we were kind of shell shocked. My girls settled in after about 15 minutes and started to play a big more physically and less nervous.”
Lucy Simpson was doing the most damage for Rock Hill as she scored the first two goals and assists Paige Bailey on the third goal at the 13-minute mark.
Anniston Holtzapfel had an assist on Simpson’s first goal at the 4-minute mark.
South Point’s Kylee Ellison scored two minutes later to tie the game before Simpson and Bailey made it 3-1.
Foreign exchange student Neele Bennis scored two goals in the first half to tie the game and then got what proved to be the winning goal in the second half.
“Bennie was a spark for us offensively tonight. She’s starting to gel with the girls now and is becoming a big-time threat for us.,” said Jenkins. “Sarah Roach is a first-year plays but is catching on very quickly.”
Beenie’s goal at 65:00 put South Point up 4-3 in the second half and Sarah Roach scored five minutes later for a 5-3 lead.
Meanwhile, the defense held Rock Hill scoreless the rest of the game after their first half goal with 13 minutes on the clock.
“I was very impressed with how my defense responded after being attacked relentlessly early in the game. They really played well after we made some halftime adjustments,” said Jenkins.
“It’s hard to pinpoint one girl defensively. Katie Lester did have a few crucial saves in the second half. Emilee Whitt and Kylee Ellison did a very solid job of winnig balls in the midfield for us.
“I give Rock Hill credit, though. For a first-year program, they have some girls who can flat out paly.”
On Thursday, South Point hosts Ironton St. Joseph and Rock Hill entertains Greenup County, Ky.
Rock Hill 3 0 = 3
South Point 3 2 = 5
First Half
RH — Lucy Simpson (Anniston Holtzapfel assist) 4.00
SP ¬— Kylee Ellison (Neele Bennie assist) 6:00
RH — Lucy Simpson unassisted 10:00
RH — Paige Baily (Lucy Simpson assist) 13:00
SP — Neele Bennie (Emilee Whitt assist) 15:00
SP — Neele Bennie unassisted 22:00
Second Half
SP — Neele Beenie (penalty kick) 65:00
SP — Sarah Roach (Kylee Ellison assists0 70:00
Saves: South Point; Katie Lester 11; Rock Hill: Grace Stevens 7