Losing is always painful, but playing well is a great pain reliever.

After losing 4-0 to Ohio Valley Christian earlier this season, the St. Joseph Flyers tightened the rematch before losing to the Defenders 3-2 on Thursday.

“You never like to lose, but I was pleased with the way we played. We played well,” said Flyers’ coach Sissy Clyse. “Two of the goals they had were on errors.”

After a scoreless first half, OVC (6-5-3) took a 1-0 lead at the 9:31 mark on a goal by Jonathan VanMeter.

The Flyers tied the game when Justin Mahlmeister connected on a penalty kick.

OVC regained the lead for good as Jared Bartley use and assist from Chance Burleson to score and it was 2-1.

The Defenders added an insurance goal by VanMeter and it was 3-1 at the 72-minute mark.

St. Joseph came back five minutes later to score on a goal by Levi Hopkins. “Payton Blair played a great game defensively. He did an excellent job for us,” said coach Clyse.

“Justin Mahlmeister and Sunni Clyse did a good job at forward for us. We have a lot of versatile players. They can all change positions and they do a good job.

Coming off a 1-0 loss to South Point on Tuesday, the Flyers had 17 shots including nine shots on goal and two corner kicks.

Goalkeeper Joseph “The Shoe” Unger had 7 saves. Peter Carmens had 8 keeper saves for OVC.

“It was a slick field and full of mud, but OVC played well. They’ve come a long way. They have a good team,” said coach Clyse.

The Flyers visit New Boston on Monday and host Portsmouth West at 5:30 p.m. next Thursday on Senior Night.

Ohio Valley 0 3 = 3

St. Joseph 0 2 = 2

Second Half

OVC — Jonathan VanMeter

SJ — Justin Mahlmeister (penalty kick)

OVC — Jared Bartley (assist Chance Burleson)

OVC — Jonathan VanMeter

SJ — Levi Hopkins

Total shots: St. Joseph 17, OVC 17. Shots on Goal: St. Joseph 9, OVC 12. Corner Kicks: St. Joseph 2, OVC 8. Keeper Saves: St. Joseph 7 (Joseph Unger), OVC 9 (Peter Carmen 8, Joe Beaver 1).