The Fayette Citizen-Sports Page
Friday, April 2, 1999
The intense McIntosh-Fayette County rivalry continues

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

Just like the NCAA Championship the night before, the matches on Tuesday night between McIntosh and Fayette county's soccer teams lived up to the hype. The girls teams met first, battling for almost 20 minutes without a goal. The Lady Chiefs scored 19 minutes into the game, when Keri Pendergrass made a beautiful cross to Julie Herdic, who volleyed the ball in the net. McIntosh controlled the pressure and the pace of the game for the next few minutes with Ansley Franke scoring amidst confusion in front of the Fayette net. The Lady Chiefs scored a gain less than a minute later after Melanie Schneider hammered in a rebound off of the Fayette keeper.

McIntosh appeared to put more pressure on the Lady Tigers and controlled their offense better. The Lady Tigers seemed kind of rushed, playing long balls and not able to setup good chances. A minute into the second half and McIntosh scored again. Julie Herdic sent a beautiful pass to Keri Pendergrass, who scored her second goal of the game. The game went back and forth for the next twenty minutes until Fayette got on the scoreboard. Amanda Wix pounded the ball in amidst a barrage of shots. The lady Chiefs were not done though, Julie Herdic set up Keri Pendergrass one more time, giving the forward a hat trick.

McIntosh captured the region title and will go to the playoffs ranked number one in AAAA. Fayette County is ranked seventh in AAAA and will be off until April 13 when they will host Redan.

The boys match was packed with excitement as well. The Chiefs scored in the first six minutes when Brian Rhodes connected on a pass to Beau Balesky. Balesky made a beautiful cross that Stephen Wilson tapped in for the score. The teams went back and forth and a Fayette goal was called back due to a foul. The defenses of both teams played superbly, stopping several chances an scoring opportunities. The first half ended with the Chiefs ahead 1-0.

The second half opened with Matt Clements and Beau Balesky setting up a drive that resulted in Balesky driving the ball past the Fayette keeper, J.B. Wood. It was Balesky's 16th goal of the season. Less than a minute later, Balesky took another ferocious shot, it bounced off of Wood and Jason Castro put the ball in the net. The Tigers did not quit, Trevor Bowman launched a long throw that Matt Kelso, the Chiefs keeper, barely tipped before it went in. With five minutes left, Bowman made another long throw which Andrew Doggendorf headed past Kelso. The Tigers tried again to tie the score but it was too late.

The McIntosh boys won the region, it was also the first time in six meetings that the Chiefs defeated the Tigers. These two teams may meet in the regional championship, if they can advance in the first round of the regional playoffs.McIntosh's boys and girls will play the regionals at home.

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