Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

GALLIPOLIS — Talk about a heavyweight championship bout.
The South Point Pointers and Gallipolis Blue Devils matched each other in an Ohio Valley Conference soccer game for first place.
A goal by Brody Wilt on a free kick just five minutes into the game proved to be the lone score as the Blue Devils fought their way to a 1-0 win over the Pointers.
“The game was everything a championship caliber game should be,” said Pointers’ coach Zach Jenkins. “My kids played their guts out tonight. I couldn’t have asked a single one of those guys who stepped on the field to play any harder.”
South Point is now 8-4 and 7-2 in the OVC as the loss snapped an eight-game winning streak. Gallipolis is 7-3-1 and 7-0 in the OVC.
Pointers’ goalie Brody Blackwell had an amazing 19 saves. Gallia’s Bryson Miller tallied seven saves.
“We were unfortunate early on to have a hand ball called just outside our box and the Wilt kid buried it over our wall. Outside of that, my defense was absolutely lights out against a freally good Gallia attack,” said Jenkins.
“Brody Blackwell came up with save after save like a senior captain that wanted this game should. We had our opportunities offensively, we were right on the door step several times but just couldn’t find that last tough to put it in the net.”
South Point hosts Chesapeake next Tuesday on senior night.
South Point 0 0 = 0
Gallipolis 1 0 = 1
First Half
Ga — Brody Wilt (free kick) 5:00
Saves—SP: Brody Blackwell 19; Gallipolis: Bryson Miller 7.
Corner kicks: SP 3, Gallipolis 9