Starr's Mill to play for state soccer title

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

The rivalry between McIntosh and Pope is nearing Celtics-Lakers status and it grows more contentious every year. Now, Starr's Mill wants in on it as well.

McIntosh's Lady Chiefs hosted Pope on Wednesday afternoon for a chance to go to the AAAAA state soccer finals. The first half saw both teams pressure their opponent's defense and have several scoring opportunities. The score was tied 0-0 at the half. It was tied at the end of regulation as well, though McIntosh dominated the second half. Pope had a few runs on the net but McIntosh had several near misses at the net as well as a few shots directly at the Pope keeper.

Overtime started and the teams played two ten minute periods. Pope had a few more chances than the Lady Chiefs in the first overtime but McIntosh dominated play again in the second overtime and just couldn't find the back of the net. After 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, the game went to penalty kicks and McIntosh lost. Pope made their first four shots, while the Lady Chiefs made their first shot and missed their next two.

It was McIntosh's first loss all year. It was also the third consecutive time that their season ended with Pope. McIntosh lost to the Lady Greyhounds in overtime of the AAAAA state final last year and finsihed as co-champions with them the year before. The two teams will likely square off again next year at some point as well.

Starr's Mill gets a crack at the Lady Greyhounds now. They will play at Pope tomorrow night at 7 p.m. for the AAAAA state championship.

The Lady Panthers made the finals by defeating Brookwood at home, 3-0 on Wednesday night. The score was knotted 0-0 at the end of the first half. Brookwood had several scoring chances towards the end of the first half but keeper Kristin Rutland and the defense made some good stops.

Starr's Mill broke it open in the second half almost immediately. Shelley Wegryzyn found the net only two minutes in to the second half and the Panthers had a 1-0 lead. Starr's Mill put on almost all of the pressure from then on though they did not score again for close to 20 minutes. Their second goal was scored by Amanda Thurber who got an assist from Allison Graham. Graham scored the third and final goal six minutes later after getting by the keeper.

Starr's Mill is heading to the state finals for the first time since they entered AAAAA. They had previously captured consecutive titles in AAAA. Starr's Mill is familair with Pope. They played the Lady Greyhounds a month ago and lost 3-2. Both teams will play even harder now that a state title is on the line and Starr's Mill needs a lot of fan support to rival what is likely to be a large crowd of Pope fans.

To get to Pope High School, take I-75 to Exit 267A/Canton Rd. Connector. Take the Canton Rd. Connector to the first stop light and take a right on to Sandy Plains Rd. Stay on Sandy Plains Rd. for approximately three and a half miles and then take a right on to Post Oak Tritt Rd. at the McDonald's. Stay on Post Oak Tritt Rd. for about two miles and take a left on Hembree Rd. Pope High School is ahead onthe right.

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