Bethesda Internationals

24 May ’09. The Internationals returned to the MD SoccerPlex on a hot, humid, mid-afternoon for a Semi-Final match against its friends from Maine, Seacoast United, whom it tied, 0-0, in a hard-fought battle in last year’s 3rd Prelim match after which Inter advanced to the Semi-Final on points. Today's match was another hard-fought battle and entertaining match.  The Maine team was big, strong and quick up top, but Pachuca would strike first at the 5 min. mark when Erik passed a ball from the middle over to Nate on the left side who passed it upfield to Chris on the left outside 18-20 yds. who served the ball into the box where Nate ran onto it to punch in the go-ahead goal. At the 31 min. mark, Skylar collected a pass near 20 yds. right and sent a shot on goal which went wide left. Four mins. later, Ebo possessed a ball near 30 yds. center and sent a shot which went wide left. And, at the 40 min. mark, Vitalis served a ball from the left side into the box where Nate’s header was stopped by the GK. Seacoast notched the equalizer goal at the 11 min. mark off of a counter-attack when a long ball was sent upfield over the back line and a Seacoast player collected the ball to send a shot past Seth into the net. Seacoast setup 3 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks while committing 11 (fouls including 2 handballs). Inter committed 7 fouls (including 2 offsides). Seacoast held Inter to just 3 shots on goal and no corner kicks and the half ended, 1-1.

In the 2nd half, Inter would take 4 shots on goal and no corners. At the 10 min. mark, Vitalis rcvd a ball near 20 yds. left and sent a hard shot on goal which went wide left. But, Inter would take the lead at the 19 min. mark off of a free kick by Skylar from 25 yds. right into the box where Chris timed his header to knock in the goal, giving Pachuca the lead, 2-1. At the 27 min. mark, Nate passed a ball from the right over to Erik in the middle who served it into the box where Chris ran to the ball in the air to attempt a chest-shot which went wide right. At the 38 min. mark, Ebo collected a ball near 25 yds. center and struck a hard shot on goal which went over the cross-bar. Inter committed 5 fouls (including 2 handballs) while Seacoast also committed 5 fouls (including a YC shown to #7 for a hard foul and #12 for USB). Seacoast would take 2 shots on goal and 1 corner kick which were all unsuccessful – except one. At the 33 min. mark, after a strong throw-in from the right sideline into the box, Seacoast (#10) was able to possess the ball to turn and fire in the tieing goal, and the match ended in regulation time, 2-2.

In the 1st x 5 min. OT, neither team could setup any scoring opportunities with Seacoast and Inter both committing 1 foul each (Inter 1 handball).

In the 2nd x 5 min. OT, Seacoast was unable to setup any scoring opportunities while committing 2 fouls. Pachuca managed 1 shot at the 3 min. mark by Vitalis from near 16-18 yds. left side of box but it went over the cross-bar and the match went into PK’s.

Maine took the 1st PK successfully while Erik’s shot was stopped by the GK to the left.

Maine’s 2nd PK hit the left sidebar but official called Seth off his line and Maine allowed to retake the PK which was successful. Inter’s 2nd PK by Ricardo was successful.

Maine’s 3rd PK was successful as was Skylar’s shot.

Maine’s 4th PK was also successful as was Nicholas’ shot.

Maine’s 5th PK was stopped by Seth but official called Seth off his line and Maine allowed to retake the PK which was successful. Inter’s 5th PK by Ebo was successful.

Maine’s 6th PK was successful but V’s shot went over the cross-bar and Maine won the Semi-Final to move onto the Final to play the other Semi-Final winner, Great Falls 91 Elite, who would go on to win the Championship match over Seacoast, 2-1, in OT.