Friday, May 18, 2001
Friday, May 18, 2001 |
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Lady Chiefs get a rematch of last year's final with their co-champions from Pope By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
The entire season for the McIntosh Lady Chiefs has come down to this one game, the final in the AAAAA girls soccer tournament. A win marks them as state champions, a title they shared last year with their opponent in Saturday's final, the Pope Lady Greyhounds. To make it to the final, McIntosh had to defeat Harrison High School's Lady Hoyas. At halftime of the semifinal game neither team had scored. The pressure was mounting for the Lady Chiefs. The team had scored 25 goals in the first two games of the playoffs and one goal in the third game. The tie was broken less than two minutes in to the second half on a goal by Julie Herdic. Herdic headed the ball to herself and sent a booming volley into the back of the net. Harrison challenged the Chiefs some more in the second half but was kept out of the net by goalkeeper Megan Bernard. Bernard made several outstanding saves and kept the Lady Chiefs ahead and unscored upon in the playoffs. Melanie Schneider gave McIntosh an insurance goal with 10 minutes left to play in the game, sealing their 2-0 win and another trip to the title game. "We didn't play our style of game in the first half," said Coach Stephen Buckner. "We played better in the second half, but it is hard to maintain your discipline when the opponent's defense is packed in." Buckner feels that Pope's style of play is more suited to the Lady Chiefs style and thinks the game will be played more openly, with more space to work in. Saturday's match should be amazing. Both teams have had two tight games in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. McIntosh beat Sprayberry 1-0 before the 2-0 win over Harrison, while Pope knocked off Starr's Mill 2-1 before edging past Walton 1-0. McIntosh has outscored their opponents 28-0 in the postseason, while Pope has outscored their opponents, 18-3. Both teams are filled with talented and skilled players and neither team wants to share the title again. The game will be played at Pope High School in Marietta. To get to Pope, take I-75 North to Exit 267 A/B, the Canton Rd. Connector, and take a right on Sandy Plains Road. You will pass Sprayberry High School. Go to the third traffic light, where there will be a McDonald's on the corner, and take a right on to Post Oak Tritt. Go through two traffic lights, take a left on Hembree Road and the school will be a mile and a half down the road on the left. The time of the game has yet to be announced. Visit The Citizen's Web site today for an update.
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