Bethesda Internationals

8 May '05. Inter always looks forward to playing the solid BAYS team, although it had not prevailed in the previous 4 league matches against them. Today's quarter-final match was played on the nice fields out at the Polo Grounds on a splendid, warm and sunny day with blue skies; however, the wind was blowing hard and it was a factor as it caused havoc for both teams on defense but aided both sides on offense. The BAYS had the wind at their backs in the first half and managed 7 shots on goal with 1 corner kick. Fortunately, none of the hard shots found the back of the net, and one high arcing shot pushed by the wind came down over Nat's outstretched arms and luckily deflected off the crossbar back out into the goal mouth where it was cleared out. The BAYS tough defense limited Inter to just 1 solid SOG against the wind which sailed wide and right of goal. The 2nd half was controlled by Inter with the wind at their backs, launching 10 shots on goal, with some missing wide or high or stopped by the GK or cleared out by the defenders. Inter created 6 CK opportunities and its tenacious defenders held the BAYS to just 3 SOG's only. With 3-4 minutes left to play, Inter launched another attack up field on the right side where Mati collected the ball, dribbled away to elude defenders. When one defender slipped and fell, Mati had some space and spotted Sam far over on the left side all by himself at about 18-20 yards out. Mati then made the perfect pass to Sam, who quickly turned and struck in the nice hard shot and game-winning goal. Inter is scheduled to play the BAYS in its last game of league play, and looks forward to another entertaining and well-played match which seems to always be the case when these two teams come to play. Inter will face the D2-leading/surging Pot. Cougars '92 in the Semi-Final match on Sat., 4 June.