A Close Contest at St. Joseph
The Flyers opened their season with a disciplined performance that saw them overcome a resilient Panthers side, finishing the match 2-0 in front of a modest home crowd.
Mason Weber opened the scoring early, capitalising on a defensive misstep before turning provider for the second goal, which sealed the win. His ability to both finish and create chances highlighted his growing influence on the team.
Between the posts, Peyton Ford stepped in as the starting goalkeeper, making five crucial saves that kept the Panthers at bay. Ford had replaced Beckham Waginger, who missed the game while fulfilling football commitments for Ironton High School.
Chesapeake's veteran net‑minder Jacob Bentley was busy at the other end, turning away ten shots and producing a spectacular one‑handed knockaway that kept the match within reach for the visitors.
The Panthers' most promising chance came from a corner kick that failed to find a teammate, underscoring the difficulty they had in breaking down the Flyers' organized defence.
Aden Parrott, a junior who had netted 37 goals the previous season, was held without a shot on target, a testament to the Flyers' defensive focus that limited his usual scoring threats.
The game also marked the start of Ohio Valley Conference play for Chesapeake, who opened their schedule at Rock Hill later in the week, while the Flyers prepared to begin Southern Ohio Conference Division I competition on Thursday at Clay.