The ninth ranked McIntosh varsity boys lacrosse team took on the top ranked Pope Greyhounds on Tuesday afternoon at Booth Middle School. The Chiefs had the Greyhounds on the ropes but lost in the final minute 11-10.

McIntosh struck first with a goal from Jack Bornhofen and after two quick Pope goals Caleb Benson scored for the Chiefs off an assist from Zach Ward.

The second quarter belonged to McIntosh with Benson netting his second goal, DJ Ward scoring a hat trick in the span of two minutes and Zach Ward scoring on an assist from Carl Scheumann.

McIntosh’s 7-3 lead did not last long in the third quarter as Pope scored the next three goals but a goal from Daniel Christ and Benson’s third goal of the evening pushed the leadback to three goals. Pope struck again early in the fourth quarter and Cam Elward scored seconds later for McIntosh, but the Chiefs couldn’t penetrate the Pope net for the remainder of the game. The Greyhounds scored four more goals, including the tying and go-ahead goals in the final 43 seconds to get the win.

It was a heart-breaking loss for the Chiefs, but the players now know they can hang with the best team in the state.

“I am so proud of the heart and caliber of play of our players,” said McIntosh coach Mike Meutzel. “That was a great team at the top of their game and we fought hard. One or two bounces and we win and one or two more key adjustments and we will be ready for them next week.”

If Pope won their game last night against Walton, the Chiefs will host the Greyhounds to open the state playoffs next week.

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