Bethesda Internationals

20 Nov. '04. On the heels of 3 well-played games against Region III opponents at the Raleigh Shootout the previous weekend, Inter faced its old friends from the VCCL, Richmond Strikers Orange on Sat., 11/20. At last year's BSC 2003, Inter prevailed over the Orange, 3-1, in the preliminary round but the RSK Orange advanced to the final on points -- and were bested by the now defunct Spirit United Kixx (reformed as FC Delco U13 Demons). At the opening whistle, Inter came out of the starting gate and launched a furious assault, shooting on goal 7 times (2 corners) compared to RSK Orange's single shot -- but effective -- and 1 CK. After a foul by RSK at about the 2-3 minute mark, Roque sent a nicely placed ball into the goal mouth from about 25 yards out to the right where Ben was well positioned and jumped up to head in a great strike to the net. Towards the end of the 1st half, RSK sent a long ball beyond the defense, and Nat cleared the ball out but not far enough away while nearby Inter defenders hesitated slightly in further clearing the ball away as a charging RSK player managed to win the ball and put in the tieing goal. In the 2nd half, RSK stepped up its attack and managed 3 shots on goal and 4 CK's but could not finish, while Inter managed 5 shots on goal without finding the back of the net. In the 2nd match against its first encounter with LDC United Rocks, Inter battled this very good team from PA-E fairly even in the first half until about the 21st minute when Roque sent a ball into the goal mouth and found Nicky who kicked in Inter's only goal. In the 2nd half, LDC played much more physcially and with greater determination, taking 3 shots on goal while Inter took 2 shots on goal. At about the 13 minute mark of the 2nd half, LDC sent a long ball past Inter defenders who were pressing up a bit too much and a LDC player managed to collect the ball and make a nice shot to the right of Nat into the net to tie the match, 1-1. On Sun., 11/21, as there was a 3-way tie between Inter, LDC and RSK, Inter advanced to the Semi-Final match based upon least cards (none) compared to 2 for LDC and 1 for RSK in the previous preliminary matches. Inter faced its friends from NCSL/D1, the Freestate Titans, whom Inter prevailed over in regular season play, 1-0. The Titans had just returned from Raleigh the weekend before as a Finalist in the Champion-B group, losing to North Meck Storm. The Titans controlled the 1st half shooting 5 times on goal and took 5 corner kicks with 3 fouls while Inter managed just 1 shot on goal, 1 CK and also committed 3 fouls. In the 2nd half, Inter took 3 shots on goal while the Titans took just 1 shot on goal, and the match was scoreless at the end of regulation. After 2 x 5 minute OT periods, the match remained scoreless, although Inter played more intensely in the 2nd 5 minute OT period, shooting 5 times on goal but could not finish -- while the Titans took just 1 SOG. The Titans were awarded the victory based upon the greater number of CK's (5) compared to Inter (2). The Titans would face MSC United in the Championship match, and played the mighty Green Machine well only to lose, 0-1, on a nicley placed DK by Martine from about 35+ yards out early in the 2nd half.