Bethesda Internationals

11 Apr. 09.  Back out at Kirkwood SC for the final and crucial match of the short Region I Premier season, the Internationals would face its friends/foe from PA-E whom it lost in the last match of the season last year, 0-3.  Although Inter prevailed over YMS in the PDA Showcase last Nov., 2-0, it knew it would be in for a hard-fought contest as it was a hugely important match for both teams.  If YMS would win, it would go on to finish in 2^nd place behind LMSC Velez in the South division and earn a spot in the playoffs.  If Inter would win, it would finish in 2^nd place and knock YMS out of a playoff spot.   Simple as that. 

The rain and strong winds continued at the beginning of the match but would abate by the start of the 2^nd half.   In the 1^st half, YMS kicked off but Inter had the wind advantage in their favor.  However, YMS' strong defense would hold Inter to just 2 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks which were unsuccessful.  At about the 16 min. mark, Schillo served a ball from near 20 yds. left into the box where Chris’ header went wide right.  Later, at about the 32 min. mark, a ball was served from the left near 20 yds. left by (?) into the box where Skylar’s header was caught by the GK.  Inter committed 5 fouls (including 2 offsides) while YMS committed 8 fouls (including a YC shown to #15 for a hard foul on Jamie).  YMS also would take 2 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks which were wide/unsuccessful, and the half ended 0-0. 

In the 2^nd half, Inter kicked off but YMS would have the wind advantage.  Against the wind and YMS’ strong defense, Inter was held to just a single scoring opportunity which came at about the 11 min. mark.  Patrick passed a nice ball in the middle to Schillo near 20 yds. left but his shot was caught by the GK. Inter committed 9 fouls (including a YC shown to Nicholas for a hard foul, 2 handballs and 1 offsides) while YMS also committed 8 fouls (including 3 offsides).  YMS would take 6 shots on goal and setup 2 corner kicks which all went awry/unsuccessful and the match ended in a scoreless draw. 

LMSC Velez would finish in 1^st with 16 points, winning the South division for the 2^nd year in a row.  YMS would finish in 2^ndplace, while newcomer SAC United, who surprised Inter with a 2-0 victory in the1^st game of the season, finished in 3^rd with 12 points, followed by Inter in 4^th place with 12 points, Freestate Elite in 5^thplace with 11 points, Beadling, Empire and Jersey Knights.  Congratulations to LMSC Velez for another successful season and South division Championship!  Good luck to both Velez and Xplosion in the Region I playoffs as well as the National League playoffs.