Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — It was good to know that the underclassmen wanted this to be a good senior night.
Freshman Braylon Balandra scored two goals and had an assist as the South Point Pointers beat the Chesapeake Panthers 4-1 in an Ohio Valley Conference soccer game on Tuesday.
“In the first half, the freshman kind of stole the show form the seniors. Braylon Balandra played one of his best halves he’s played all season,” said Pointers’ coach Zach Jenkins.
The Pointers (9-4, 7-2) were coming off a heartbreaking loss at Gallipolis last Thursday and a visit to Wheelersburg on Thursday, Jenkins thought his team was facing a trap game.
“With senior night bring a different emotion as well. My kids responded well I thought,” said Jenkins. “Our passing was much better than it was last week and our offense became more dynamic with more guys involved.”
Balandra scored an unassisted goal to put the Pointers up 1-0 at the 13-minute mark, but the Panthers tied the game on a goal by Bryson Haynes with an assist from Brayden Gilpin with 25 minutes on the clock.
Senior Carmie McGuffin scored three minutes later with an assist from freshman Levi Lawson.
Freshman Tanner Runyon scored with 35 minutes on the clock as Balandra got the assist.
Balandra scored the final goal four minutes later with an assist from Isaiah Nease.
Pointers’ senior goalie Brody Blackwell had eight saves. Panthers’ goalie Elijah Snyder had 13 rescues.
Jenkins praised Seth Anderson, Ryan Goodson, Blackwell and McGuffin for their senior leadership.
“I can’t say enough about my four seniors. They helped me somuch as a first-year boys’ coach with their leadership and personalities,” said Jenkins.
Chesapeake 1 0 = 1
South Point 4 0 = 4
First Half
SP — Braylon Balandra (unassisted) 13:00
Ch — Bryson Haynes (assist Brayden Gilpin) 25:00
SP — Carmie McGuffin (assist Levi Lawson) 28:00
SP — Tanner Runyon (assist Braylon Balandra) 35:00
SP — Braylon Balandra (assist Isaiah Nease) 39:00
Saves—CHS: Elijah Snyder 13; SP: Brody Blackwell 8
Corner kicks—Chesapeake 2; South Point 9