Bethesda Internationals

15 May '04. Thanks to NCSL and to the Premier AC 91W, Inter's game with the Premier AC team was re-rescheduled to the nice artificial home turf of the Premier AC 91W at Bishop Ireton HS in Alexandria instead of the Eagle Ridge MS out in Ashburn/Leesburg. The weather was splendid with sunny skies and light winds at 9AM. At the bell, both teams showed their determination in wanting to win this match in the worst way, attacking and counter-attacking each other with runs up and down the field. With about 5 mnutes left in the first half, Efe made a great cross to Skylar who was about to attempt a header on goal but the GK came out to grab it before Skylar could make the strike. At the half, no goals were let in by either team nor were very few shots on goal taken with only perhaps 1 or 2 CK's. The second half favored Inter and they controlled the ball in the Premier's half for about 3/4 of the second half. Sam made a great run on the left side up to the right corner/touch line and then beautfully cut/passed the ball back to the goal mouth at about 15 yards out where Nicky received the ball and slammed a hard, left-foot shot at the goal -- but unfortunately struck the right goal post and bounced out. Nicky got another chance several minutes later but it was not drilled quite as hard and the Premier's GK scooped it up. A few minues later, Skylar collected a nicely crossed ball from Nick and fired in a hard shot from about 20 yards out, but the Premier's fine GK made a great grab/save. With about 5 minutes left, Torian of the Premier AC made a nice run up field and sent a perfectly passed ball over to a teammate who was about 10 yards out to the right of goal and in great position to strike in a hard shot on Rob -- but, after collecting the ball and positioning it to strike in what could've been the game winning goal, Pablo came out of nowhere and made a brilliant slide-tackle on the ball and sent it out of bounds. With about 2-3 minutes left, Torian penetated deep into Inter's defense on the left side and launched a strong shot on goal but it sailed high and wide to the right and out of bounds. Moments later the match ended -- a scoreless tie. It was a wonderful match played with great enthusiasimm, determination and heart on the part of both teams and players.

10 May '04. Inter has been placed in the Patriot bracket along with a couple of other NCSL/D1 teams and several quality teams from CT/DE/PA/NY: Red Group White Group RFC 91 (VA) West Hartford Premier (CT) Berks SA Arsenal (PA) WYMCA Mutiny (DE) Albertson Academy 91 (NY) MCLN Thunder (VA) Inter Bethesda (MD) GRFL Renegades (VA) Inter's game times/fields are: Sat., 5/29 9:00AM, Olney #4 1:00PM, Olney #4 Sun., 5/30 11:10AM, Olney #3 3:10PM, MD Soccer Plex #6 (Semi-Final #1: White 1st vs. Red 2nd) 3:10PM, MD Soccer Plex #5 (Semi-Final# 2: Red 1st vs. White 2nd) Mon., 5/31 10:20AM, MD Soccer Plex #9 (Final: SF#1 winner vs. SF#2 winner)

9 May '04. Inter fount itself in good game form on a splendid day at the Soccer Plex with warm/sunny skies and mild winds. Inter controlled the ball, attacking and counter-attacking in the Renegades' side for much of the game. At about the 10 minute mark of the first half, Ben countered/served a nice long ball up field to about the 20+ yard of the Renegades' goal mouth, where Nicky was able to head in a goal off of the bounce. Credit is due to the Renegades for hanging tough and able to penetrate Inter's defense on several runs, and were rewarded at about the 25 minute mark when an attempt to clear out a ball by Inter was thwarted/countered by the Renegades close into Inter's goal mouth at about 10 yards out, allowing another Renegades player to secure the ball and strike in their only goal over Rob's outstretched hands. In the second half, Inter's defense shut down the Renegades completely, and kept up its relentless attack. At about the 3 minute mark, Ben cleared another nice ball up field and Skylar collected it about 25+ yards out, made a short run and fired in a great strike in full stride. Inter missed on several shots on goal and CK's; however, at about the 9 minute mark, Sam gathered a cleared ball up field, maneuvered in between the Renegade defenders on the left side and juked out a closing defender to create an open lane and struck the ball in high to the top of the net and over the GK. About 5 minutes later on what appeared to be a wrong call on Inter for raising elbows in the box, the Renegades were awarded a PK -- but fortunately for Inter, the strongly struck ball sailed high over the crossbar.

3 May '04. On a mostly cloudy day with threatening storms and strong winds at the nice Soccer Plex, Inter faced the always tough, talented and well-coached RFC '91 team which has handed Inter losses 3 times in the last 4 matches played before today. Inter won the coin toss and with the wind at their back, kept the ball on the RFC '91 side of the field for most of the 1st half -- but were unable to punch in any goals, missing on several strikes and corners. In the 2nd half, despite having the wind against them, Inter was able to battle RFC '91 evenly with both teams attacking and counter-attacking up and down the field. At about 15 minutes into the 2nd half, Ben cleared a nice ball up field to about the 25+ yards center of the Reston's goal mouth where Nicholas collected the ball and dribbled further in to fire a strong shot for the first goal. Just 2 minutes later, after being awarded a DFK due to an Inter player being fouled by Reston, Skylar sent a nice kick up into the center of the goal mouth about 10+ yards out where Carsten worked his way to strike in the second goal. Inter's defense was stifling all game-long, allowing very few shots on goal and corner kick opportunities.

25 Apr. '04. In today's match at Olney, the field was superior compared to yesterday's field at Cearfoss, but the weather worsened with overcast skies, coolish temps (low 50's) and breezy winds. Inter dominated the match from start to finish, but missed numerous shots on goal high or wide. The defense played tight and was able to counter attack any occasional deep threat launched by the Hawks. At about the 28th minute of the 1st half, Skylar made a teriffic cross to the middle of the goal mouth about 7-8 yards out to Carsten, who then made a great diving header to bang the ball into the left side of the net and to the right of the keeper's outstretched arms -- end of the 1st half, 1-0, Inter. In the 2nd half, Inter again controlled the match but missed on several shots on goal, and the defense stymied the Hawks from any serious threats to shoot on goal effectively. Inter will move onto to play our sister BSC team Roadrunners in a Semi Final match on 5th June.