Bethesda Internationals

17 Feb. '08. After last week’s game with the MSC Predators was canceled due to adverse wind conditions, the Internationals were back in action at Covenant Park for its final game of the shortened Winter League season, and would face the U17/MSC Ice with several players from WJHS who Ebo knew from school and a lot of friendly 'jawing' ensued on the pitch. A number of Inter players were absent including coach Patrick and coach Pete who were away on a previous family commitment; Philip, Nat E. and Fabio were also absent due to previous committments, and Scott was still out rehabbing an inury. Branimir stepped in to sub for Pete and Marcel S. was also trying out for the day. The weather was cloudy with temps in the upper 40's and the wind was mild compared to last week. The first half was all Internationals with its staunch defense holding the Ice to no shots on goal and just (1) corner kick while committing (3) fouls. The Internationals moved the ball very well, making good crisp passes and often broke through Ice’s back line shooting (11) times on goal and created (5) corner kick opportunities while committing (4) fouls (including 1 hand ball and 1 offsides). Ben F. sent a nice pass upfield to a streaking Marcel on the right side who collected the ball and fired a hard shot on goal but their GK made a good athletic save. At about the 24 minute mark, Vitalis rcvd a ball on the left side, dribbled to the end-line and sent a blast across the goal mouth where Marcel was in position to easily strike in the 1st goal. Around the 31 minute mark, Nathaniel rcvd a ball in the middle around 25 yards and dribbled into the Ice’s box 1v1 on the GK but was fouled by a defender from behind and a resultant PK was awarded. Ebo stepped up and sent the sharp PK into the left upper corner and the half ended several minutes later, 2-1, Inter. Just 4 minutes into the 2nd half, Skylar collected a ball in the mid-field around 25 yards out, maneuvered to try and find an open player but when a crease opened up towards goal, he turned and fired a hard shot which sailed high over defenders, striking the inside of the left post and deflected into the net for Inter’s 3rd goal. The Ice stepped up their intensity in the 2nd half, playing more aggressively and would break through Inter’s defense on several occasions shooting (4) times on goal and creating (2) corner kicks but all were unsuccessfully while committing (8) fouls (including a YC shown to #55 for a hard foul). One of Ice’s shots was well placed on a 1v1 to goal but Seth made a good read and diving save to avert the almost-goal. Inter would take (5) shots on goal and (1) corner kick but could finished once while committing (5) fouls (including 1 offsides), and the match ended several minutes later, 3-0, Internationals.