Bethesda Internationals

30 May '09.  Due to the large amount of rainfall in the area the past few days, field #9 originally scheduled for the Final with Freestate Elite was closed today and instead the match luckily was moved to field #11 (stadium) which was open.  It was a fabulous, sunny day with low humidity, and it was a big turnout with many spectators present who could sit and enjoy the match between the two best teams in the state of Maryland.  In last year's Final, Inter fell toFreestate late in the 2nd half, 0-1. This would be Inter's 5th straight appearance in the MD State Cup Final, also losing to the Elite (formerly Titans in 2006 as U13), then to the fabled Roadrunners in  2006 as U14, 0-1, and 2007 as U15, 1-2. Today, the Internationals were focused, determined – and, would not be denied.

Freestate kicked off in the 1^st half but the Internationals quickly possessed the ball and after a foul by the Elite around 1 min. mark, Skylar sent a free kick from 20 yds. left into the box where the GK, Kyle, caught the ball but as he fell to the turf the ball came out of his grasp and Mati was able to easily tap in the go-ahead goal.  Freestate controlled play for the next several minutes, but thereafter it was the Internationals who controlled play for the rest of the half/match. Inter’s strong defense held the Elite to 3 shots on goal and 1 corner kick.  At about the 36 min. mark, Mati attempted to clear a ball away near 22 yds. center but incredulously was called for high kick/dangerous play. Freestate’s ensuing free kick sailed over the wall and somehow a Freestate player, Martin, was able to head flick the ball past Seth’s outstretched arms into the right corner of the net to knot the score, 1-1.  Freestate had another opportunity around the 30 min. mark when another incredulous call was made on Nicholas for a foul on a Freestate player who ‘fell hard’ to the turf just outside the box near 20 yds. left, but fortunately, the resultant free kick sailed out of harms way.  Freestate committed 6 fouls including a YC shown to #13 for a hard foul.   Inter committed 7 fouls (including 2 offsides and 1 high kick).  Inter would take 4 shots on goal and 1 corner kick. At the 26 min. mark, Skylar crossed a ball from 20 yds right into the box where Nate’s header went just wide right.   At the 39 min. mark, Skylar crossed another ball from around 25 yds. right into the box where Chris was able to knock in the go-ahead goal.  At the 44 min. mark, Vitalis struck a hard shot from 20 yds. left which struck the cross-bar, ricocheted out to Chris near 18 yds. center and his shot sailed wide right, and the half ended, 2-1, Pachuca.

The Internationals kicked off in the 2^nd half and controlled most of the play, holding the Elite to 4 shots on goal and 1 corner kick which were all unsuccessful.  The Elite committed 5 fouls (including 1 offisdes and Yc’s show to #3 for a hard foul and to #12 for cleats up tackle). Inter committed 6 fouls (including 1 handball and 1 offsides).  Inter launched a barrage of 9 shots on goal and 4 corner kicks.  At the 2 min. mark, Chris sent a hard shot from 20 yds. left which went wide right.  Two mins. later, Chris sent a nice pass from around 22 yds. left to Schillo near 18 yds. center who then dribbled inside the box in between a couple of defenders before sending a shot on goal which struck the right post, bounced out where Schillo ran onto it to take another attempt while falling behind the end line but the shot hit the outside of the right side net.  TheInternationals would score again at the 12 min. mark after Patrick’s left corner kick was perfectly placed in the box where Nicholas timed his jump up to head in the goal.  At the 15 min.mark, Chris sent a shot from near 20 yds. left which went wide right.  At the 18 min. mark, Vitalis sent a hard shot on goal from 22 yds. left which the GK caught.  Two mins. later, Chris sent a shot from 22 yds. center which the GK stopped. At the 25 min. mark, Chris kicked a hard shot on goal which the GK caught.  At the 30 min. mark, Vitalis sent a shot towards goal from near 22 yds. right which went wide left.  Around the 35 min. mark, Ebo collected a ball near 18 yds. left, dribbled just inside the box and sent a nice pass to Skylar far post who easily tapped in the goal and the match ended several minutes later, 4-1, Pachuca.