McIntosh girls and boys claim first round playoff shutouts

2013-05-06

By Jimmie Haywood

Gabby Seiler keyed the Lady Chief offense again with two goals and an assist in their 6-0 round one victory.

Soccer powerhouse McIntosh got off to a roaring start in the 2013 state playoffs after the girls’ squad defeated Northside Columbus 6-nil on Tuesday evening. The boys followed that up with a dominating shutout of fourth seeded Thomas County Central 10-0.
“I think we got off to a great start to begin the playoffs,” said Lady Chiefs’ coach Marcia Clark whose team improved to 13-4-2 overall for the year. “We started off attacking.”
The Lady Chiefs benefited from an assertive first-half. Gabby Seiler was amazing in that segment with two goals—a breakaway goal in the fourth minute and a penalty kick in the 14th minute—and an assist to Amanda Bartholomew in the 21st minute.  Amy Brewer accounted for McIntosh’s fourth goal of the half in the ninth minute.
“She is the centerpiece of the team,” said Lady Chiefs’ coach Marcia Clark of Seiler. “She certainly did a lot for us in the first half—she is a great player.”
Clark also complimented her team’s ability to move the ball around as well as its’ communication on defense.
“I was pleased with our composure and overall I think it was a good first outing for us,” Clark added.
Bartholomew tacked on her second goal of the contest after she fought off two Northside defenders before connecting on a cross-corner shot from just outside of the penalty box in the 15th minute. Jackie Gray scored McIntosh’s final goal in the 26th minute.
The Chiefs, ranked no. 1in the nation, held up to the stats by recording another shutout and maintaining just one goal given up all year.  McIntosh began the game with a 4-0 lead in the first-half before coasting to its’ 19th win of the season.
McIntosh will be off until next week with the girl second-round contest scheduled for Tuesday and boys on Wednesday.
“We’re just going to keep practicing,” Clark said. “We have a whole week now between games and hopefully we will still be sharp.”