McCallie rallies past Dalton, 3-2

Friday, January 1, 1904

DALTON, Ga. - McCallie just needed a little incentive.

Georgia Class AAA third-ranked Dalton helped awaken the Blue Tornado with two goals in the first eight minutes of their soccer match Tuesday. The visitors fought that off by tying the match early in the second half.

McCallie was forced to play the final 20 minutes down a man after losing Adam Grody to a red card. But Hunter Brock scored in the 71st minute and Tennessee's Division II top-ranked Blue Tornado went on to win 3-2 at Harmon Field.

In addition to numerous foul calls on both sides in a physical match, McCallie (8-2) was whistled for four yellow cards in addition to Grody's red.

"I thought we held up well," Tornado coach Tony Meyers said. "It's never easy to play down a man, nor is it easy to play down two goals. We responded. I like to use the word 'resiliency,' and we showed a lot of that tonight."

Juan Barrera scored both goals for Dalton (10-2), one following up a Rolando Rosillo attempt that was deflected by McCallie keeper Josh Bandy and a second on a restart in the eighth minute. Dalton controlled possession throughout the first 20 minutes with smooth, precision passing and attacks down the sides.

McCallie responded on a goal by Peter Steele in the 29th minute, then tied the game when Brock followed his own missed header attempt, which glanced off the crossbar.

He then put the Blue Tornado ahead, scoring off an Arturo Rocha feed that was misplayed by a defender.

Bandy finished with nine saves for McCallie, while Raymundo Bahena had four for the Catamounts, who lost big sophomore defender Jose Gardea early in the match.

"McCallie just hit their shots," Dalton coach Matt Cheaves said. "They caught a break at the end, but it was a good game. We had a good, strong effort -- it's hard to know what to expect coming off spring break -- but McCallie is a strong squad."