High School Boys Soccer:
Cherokee Rolls Past Pennsauken

Friday, September 18, 1998

By Art Redd Jr.
SJSports Staff Writer

This was a game where the home team would have the edge with the support from their fans. At Cherokee High School, there weren't many people to watch Pennsauken and Cherokee participate in this Olympic conference boy's soccer match. The Chiefs had to provide their own fans and enthusiasm from the remaining players on the sidelines. Once the first goal was scored, Cherokee had an easy time and defeated Pennsauken 6-0 to remain undefeated.

You could see how relaxed and confident the Chiefs were during practice drills. Before the clock even started, a Cherokee student was videotaping the game and the players were enjoying it. There would be a lot of good video to watch for the home team. Ryan Kelley would get the first opportunity in the game when he was tripped inside the box and scored on a penalty kick. The Chiefs would continue to dominate the rest of the game.

This would be a rebuilding year for Mike Foley and his Indians. This first-year coach at Pennsauken would have only two starting seniors and a very young team to go up against Coach Bruce Wilson and his 14th season with Cherokee. Coach Foley, down 3-0 at the half, would instruct his team on some of the points he wanted them to execute in the second half. The Indians would try to get their first goal of the season. But Cherokee would totally shut down Pennsauken's offense and raise their record to 4-0 to remain on top of their division. Ryan Kelley and Ed McDonnell would each score two goals while Joe Drudling and Phil D'Alonzo each contributed a goal.

Photos by Art Redd Jr.