Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

GALLIPOLIS — In a must-win situation, the South Point Pointers’ defense gave a must-win effort.
The Pointers’ goalkeeper Jordan Perkey and their defenders held the Gallipolis Blue Devils scoreless in the second half as they rallied for a 4-3 Ohio Valley Conference soccer win on Thursday.
South Point is now 5-1 in the OVC, one-half game behind the Blue Devils who are 9-5 overall and 6-1 in the league.
The Pointers (8-5-1) trailed 3-1 at the half only to outscore Gallipolis 3-0 in the second half. Perkey had 10 saves to key the defense.
“Our defense and (Perkey) really stepped up in the second half and played well even though we are really not used to playing in wet grass. That set up chances for our offense to produce,” said Pointers’ coach Zane Joy.
“We showed great mental toughness tonight to overcome a two-goal deficit on the road.”
The Pointers were aided by two penalty kicks by Jake Helton who finished with all four goals.
Helton’s penalty kick at the 15-minute mark made it 1-0.
Gallipollis took a 3-1 lead as Isaiah Lester and Jacob Ratliff had unassisted goals and Miguel Valesco scored on a direct kick.
But Helton scored with an assist from Jimmy Hart with 54:00 on the clock to begin the second half and then tie the game 16 minutes later with an unassisted goal.
Helton’s second penalty kick at the 77-minute mark gave the Pointers the lead and win.
Andrew Toler had eight saves for Gallipolis.
South Point hosts Rock Hill at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in an OVC game. Gallipolis hosts Jackson on Saturday.
South Point    1    3    =    4
Gallipolis    3    0    =    3
First Half
SP — Jake Helton (penalty kick) 15:00
Ga — Isaiah Lester (unassisted) 19:00
Ga — Miguel Valesco (direct kick) 24:00
Ga — Jacob Ratliff (unassisted) 29:00
Second Half
SP — Jake Helton (assist Jimmy Hart) 54:00
SP — Jake Helton (unassisted) 70:00
SP — Jake Helton (penalty kick) 77:00
Goalkeepers—SP: Jordan Perkey 10 saves; Gallia: Andrew Toler 8 saves