Announcement
13 Mar. Out at the Strikers SC new West Creek complex, the Internationals once again faced the strong TSF Academy Celtic team for the 3rd time in the last 8 mos. Previously, Inter came away with a hard fought victory at PDA, 2-1, last Nov., and at the USCS Natl. Collegiate Showcase last Jul. it defeated TSF, 4-0, and went on to earn the Championship in the inaugural event. For today's match, the WX turned sour overnight with mixed rain/snow/slush covering the nice grass fields although the precipatation had mostly abated. The start time was delayed by 1-1/2 hrs. and match duration shortened to 35 min. halves. TSF kicked off in the first half and was clearly charged up to not let the previous two outcomes be repeated in today's match. TSF moved the ball around well and setup a couple of dangerous scoring opportunities in Inter's box but the balls were blocked/cleared out of harms way. TSF played hard committing 8 fouls (including YC's shown to #14 for a push on Ebo and #8 for holding Ebo's jersey on a break away). Inter's stingy defense held TSF to just 1 header shot on goal which sailed high/left and 2 corner kicks which were unsuccessful. Inter committed 5 fouls (including 1 high kick) while taking 5 shots on goal and setup 1 unsuccessful corner kick. At about the 12 min. mark, Vitalis recieved a ball on the left near 40 yds. on TSF side and sent a good pass into the middle near 20-22 yds. to Schillo who deftly dribbled in between several defenders to his right and as the GK came out to defend 1v1, Schillo chipped the ball over the Gk into the net to put Inter up 1-0. Inter had another opportunity to score off of a free kick by Patrick from about 35 yds. out on the right. The ball was lofted perfectly into the box and Nicholas timed his jump up to head strike the ball towards the net but it hit TSF's left side post and bounced out to Nate abut 6-8 yds. out but his low shot was grabbed the GK, and the half ended, 1-0, Inter. Also, Schillo served a nice ball from TSF's ride side into the box where Alex's strong header attempt just missed over the cross-bar.
TSF continued to work hard in the 2nd half and intensified its offensive attacks/counters, setting up 2 corner kicks which were unsuccessful and taking 6 shots on goal while committing 4 fouls. Also, the mixed precipitation (rain/sleet/snow) returned for the remainder of the match. TSF was unable to find the back of the net largely due to a great finger-tip save by Seth on a hard blast and another dangerous ball in the box which Seth grabbed while the other attempts all went wide/high. Inter was held to just 2 shots on goal including a nice pass upfield from Ebo to Schillo on the left 20-22 yds. which the GK caught, and a nice pass from Schillo near mid-center to Erik inside the box whose shot on goal was stopped/saved by the GK. Inter's sole corner kick opportunity was unsuccessful while committing 6 fouls, and the match ended, 1-0, Inter. Kudos to TSF for another well-played and entertaining contest in which Inter was fortunate to prevail.
