Bethesda Internationals

11-12 Oct. '03. Unlike last year when Tropical Storm Kyle dumped heavy rain on VA Beach all day Friday into the evening causing the games to be canceled on Sat. with only (2) full games played on Sun., the weather was not as severe this year but the skies were overcast with strong cross-winds/slight misting on Sat. morning. For the first game, Inter found its offense in rare form, moving the ball at will up and down the field, blanking the tenacious UGH Fire team from Philly, 4-0. Inter's defenders constantly pressured the UGH players and tackled the ball often with most of the match played on the Fire's side of the field -- a dominating performance by all members of the Inter squad. About 7-8 minutes into the first half, Nick drove in a DFK ball from about 22+ yards to the right high over the outstretched arms of the Fire's keeper into the back of the left side of the net. In the second half, a nice ball was sent up field by Nick and Nat collected the ball, making a fine run and juked out the keeper to touch in the 2nd goal. Midway through the second half, Skylar made a great cross to Nicholas who deftly lofted it in for the 3rd goal. Sam was fouled in the Fire's box with about 2-3 minutes left and fired off the PK and 4th goal to the right of the diving keeper. In the 2nd game on Sat. at 4PM, Inter faced the formidable Strictly Soccer team from St. Petersburg, FL, and the precipitation intensified with heavy drizzle and the strong cross-wind continued. The SS team was comprised of 1-2 skillfull and 3-4 large players who passed the the ball well but Inter's defenders closed quickly and shut down the SS offense in the first half. The FL team as a whole was not very fast but extremely physical/aggressive with a number of fouls called and just one yellow card awarded. Inter managed a couple of runs to goal but was unable to setup any effective shots; thus, the match was tied, 0-0, at the half -- a promising start for the determined Inter players. However, in the second half, SS's defenders denied Inter any clear shots at the goal and counter-attacked relentlessly. About mid-way through the second half, a SS player crossed a nice ball into the center of the goal mouth and Inter's defenders were unable to effectively clear the ball out, allowing another SS player to strike the ball into the net. Several minutes later, Sam was fouled in SS's box, but his shot to the right was caught by their fine keeper who laid out to his left to clutch/grasp the ball. With less than 1 minute left in the game, a DFK by SS sent the ball high towards Inter's goal mouth and a SS player who appeared to be off-sides deflected the ball off of his head into the net, but no off-sides call was made by any official. Inter played a quality match against a superior team in less than desirable weather conditions. Congratulations to Strictly Soccer for their win against Inter and against all other teams in the tournament, going 5-0 (14:1) - including mighty MSC United in the Semis, 4-1, and the talented RR's in the Final, 1-0 - to win the Columbus Day 2003 Championship! On Sun., Inter faced its Spring 2003 D1 opponent, Freestate Titans. The weather cooperated with the precipation stopping during the night and the sun came out from behind the clouds in the morning -- but the fields were still pretty wet with dew for the 8AM match. The feisty Titans tested Inter for much of the first half, challenging/countering Inter's attacks. But, once again, Inter's defenders were quick to close on the Titans and send the ball up field for Inter's counter-attacks. About half-way through the first half, a shot by Inter to the goal mouth was deflected out and Nicholas struck the ball into the left side of the net, 1-0. The valiant Titans came out in the second half and pressured Inter, but two teriffic crosses to the goal mouth from Patrick found Ben who booted in a fine strike to the net, and then Nat, who struck in the 3rd goal. About midway through the second half, Nicholas took a shot to the nose from the head of a Titan when both players attempted to head a deflected ball. Nicholas sat out for most of the second half nursing a bloody but thankfully unbroken nose. Several minutes later an unexpected low shot on the ground by the Titans surprised Rob who stopped the ball just in front of the goal line, but it then slipped out of his hands and rolled across the goal line, giving the Titans its only score. Kudos to the Titans for a fine and enjoyable match!