Bethesda Internationals

2 Nov. '03. Out at Muldoon's Farm on a beautiful, warm, sunny day at high noon with temps in the low 70's, Inter played the last game of the fall 2003 season against the last place Loudoun Cyclones, who had yet to win a game. After giving RFC '91 all it could handle the week before in a tie game, 2-2, the scrappy Loudoun team came to play Inter with enthusiasm, intensity and determination, wanting to notch a W in the worst way. The game was evenly played in a scoreless first half, with Loudoun taking 4-SOG's and 2-CK's, while Inter fired 3-SOG's and 5-CK's. Several of Skylar's very fine CK's were nicely headed by Nat but unluckily sailed high over the cross-bar/net. Loudoun stepped up its intensity in the 2nd half, and at the 3 minute mark a DFK ball from about +35 yards out to the right was collected by a Loudoun player - who out-hustled Inter's defenders - and dribbled to his left forcing Rob to come out to his right to cut off the angle, but the skillful Loudoun player cut the ball to his right and quickly shot in the goal to the right of the net. Except for the two goals scored by Loudoun, the second half was played fairly even for the most part, with Loudoun taking 4-SOG's/1-CK and Inter taking 6-SOG's/1-CK. With just (11) players and no subs, Inter looked flat and lethargic and couldn't muster up strong enough SOG's to find the back of the net, but credit must be given to Loudoun's defenders for thwarting Inter from scoring. They were constantly challenging/pressuring and often tackling the ball away from Inter. Loudoun's second goal also came as a result of another DFK from about 25+ yards away at about the 6 minute mark, which Inter cleared out but Loudoun countered with nice passing and a good cross to the goal mouth where an unmarked Loudoun player found a seam and struck in the goal. Congratulations to Loudoun for doing what it had to do and win this game, 2-0, to end their unfortunate season on an upbeat note before being relegated to D2 next spring 2004. The dogged and determined play of the Cyclones should help them earn their way back to D1 next fall 2004.