Bethesda Internationals

13 Apr. '08. After a few hours rest from MD State Cup action earlier today, the Internationals matched up with their good friends form Bowie, Freestate Elite (formerly Titans), out at the MD SoccerPlex. There was a strong diagonal cross-wind but it did not significantly alter the flow of play. Like the Internationals, the Elite added several quality players over the course of the year after falling to the Internationals in Semi-Final action in last year's MD State Cup, 1-2. The first half was evenly played with both teams attacking and defending well. It was like a heavy-weight bout with both fighters capable of knocking the other out with a single blow if the other let his guard down. Both team's strong defenese held the other to no shots on goal and Freestate setup (1) corner kick opportunity which went awry while committing (6) fouls. The Internationals managed (2) corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing (3) fouls (including 1 offsides and 1 handball), and the half ended scoreless. In the 2nd half, Inter's stingy defense kept its focus and did not allow the Elite to take a shot on goal, although it did setup (3) corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing (5) fouls. The Internationals were held to just (2) shots on goal and (1) corner kick (which was unsuccessful) while committing (6) fouls (inclulding 1 offsides). And, at about (3) mintues into the half Freestate's guard dropped just enough when Nathaniel sent a nice cross from the right around (20) yards out which landed in the goal mouth where Brian slammed a hard shot towards goal but it deflected out right back to Brian where he turned and fired another hard left-footed shot past their GK/Kyle that found the back of the net, and the Internationals held on to pick up the W, 1-0.