Announcement
11 Apr. ’09. The Internationals traveled to Kirkwood SC in New Castle, DE, to play its last two matches of the season in Region I Premier League play today at 10:00am and 3:00pm, respectively. It had been raining all night and into the morning in Delaware but the fields were in good shape and the games would be played. The scenario was eerily similar to last season when the Internationals needed to win the last 2 matches to advance in the playoffs, and today, it would again need to win the last 2 matches against the same two teams it played last year, Jersey Knights Fire and YMS Xplosion,whom the Internationals lost to in both matches, 0-1, and 0-3, respectively.
In the 1st match, the Internationals faced a determined Jersey Knights Fire team who were winless this season – thus far. Recalling last year’s quick goal struck by the Jersey team and Inter’s inability to finish a goal in that match, the Internationals were equally determined to create a different outcome in this year’s contest. Inter kicked off in the 1st half but the Fire had the fierce 15-20 mph wind at their backs -- and it would be a significant advantage for the Fire as well as Inter in the 2nd half. In the very 1st min., the Fire threatened with a long ball aided by the wind which fell deep into the box. As Seth came out to grab the ball, it bounced dangerously up high and Seth finger-tipped it over the cross-bar for an ensuing corner kick. During the half, the Fire would take 6 shots on goal, including a dangerous shot from around 12-15 yds. which Seth punched out/away while the others went wide. The Jersey team also setup 4 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful while committing 9 fouls (including 1offsides). Against the wind, the Internationals were contained mostly on their side except for a couple of opportunities. At about the 7 min. mark, Skylar passed a ball on the left to Vitalis near 20 yds. whose shot on goal was caught by the GK. About 2mins. later, a ball served in the Fire’s box was headed by Alex just wide left. Inter also setup 2 corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing 4 fouls (including a YC shown to Erik for a hard foul and 1 offsides), and the half ended, 0-0.
In the 2nd half, the Fire kicked off but Inter had the wind advantage in their favor. The Jersey team would only manage just 2 shots on goal against the wind and1 corner kick which were unsuccessful while committing 4 fouls. Inter would take 6 shots on goal and 4 corner kicks while committing 11 fouls (including 6 offsides). At about4 mins., Schillo's shot attempt from near 18 yds. right went over the cross-bar. At about 7 mins. , V served a left corner kick in the box which Nick A.’s attempt also sailed over the cross-bar. Also, at about the 14 min. mark, Chris served a ball form the left side into the box to Schillo near 6-8 yds. whose shot went wide left. And, about the 22 min. mark, Erik passed a ball from the middle near 25 yds. center to Schillo about 10-12yds. on the left whose shot was stopped by the GK. One min. later, Ebo’s served a left corner kick into the box where the ball was struck by Chris near 5-6 yds. which went wide right. But, alas, at about the 25 min. mark, Inter would finally succeed in scoring off a ball sent into the box where Schillo attempted to control it while falling to the turf but it deflected out to Alex nearby who struck in the goal. The Fire were distressed with the non-call for supposedly dangerous play by Schillo on the ground and several players were shown YC’s for USB (#7, #12 & #25) as well as their coach sent off for USB. Inter held off the doggedly determined Jersey team and the match ended,1-0, Internationals.
