Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — The South Point Pointers just kept their composure.
The Pointers were missing senior captain midfielder Ryan Goodson and have to stay in control in a physical, heated soccer game with the Russell Red Devils on Saturday as they got a 1-0 win.
Russell was issued both a red card and a yellow card while the Pointers got a yellow card at the time Russell got its red card. Pointers’ coach Zach Jenkins was proud of his team’s performance.
“The game was chippy to say the least. That being said, I’m extremely proud of the composure my guys played with,” said Jenkins. “The game could have gone an ugly way. Russell has some big, physical boys, but my guys kept their heads and kept grinding through some hard fouls.”
The Pointers (4-3) won their fourth straight game as they got the lone goal at the 61-minute mark of the second half.
Tyler Lilly had a free kick and he played the ball to the back post that Isaiah Nease ran down and found Josh Helton scored around the penalty kick spot. Helton booted the ball over the Russell goalkeeper and into the net.
Jenkins praised the play of Xander Dornon, Tanner Runyon, Seth Saunders and Levi Lawson who combined to fill in for the loss of Goodson.
Keeper Brody Black well had seven saves and Jenkins said that back four of Matthew Allen, Kyle Badgett, Zane Walters and Mason Kazee “played fantastic. I can’t say enough how well those guys executed the game plan defensively and made sure we were marked up on many free kicks and corners that were dangerous.”
South Point hosts Rock Hill on Tuesday with the girls’ game at 5:30 and boys’ at 7:30.
Russell 0 0 = 0
South Point 0 1 = 1
Second Half
SP — Josh Helton (Isaiah Nease assist) 61:00
Saves—Russell: Matthew Jones 9; South Point: Brody Blackwell 7
Corner kicks—Russell 8, South Point 6