Bethesda Internationals

28 May '06. Today, bright sunshine filled the skies at the Poolesville Polo Grounds with warm temps in the low-80's for Inter's match against the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Magic (NYE), recent winner of Region I Northeast division. The starting configuration was the same as was the match against the Badgers yesterday, with Ben at GK; Roque, Nat and Tomiwa up top; Sam, Chris & Philip in the mid; and Marcus, Mati, Nicky and Nicholas in the back. Inter's strong defense shutdown the Magic, allowing no shots on goal and just 2 corner kick opportunities. The Magic played with less physicality than Inter's previous two opponents, committing only 3 fouls. Inter played hard and aggressively, taking 6 shots on goal with 1 unsuccessful corner kick, and committed 10 fouls (including 4 offsides and 2 handballs). At about the 4 minute mark, after a foul by the Magic, Nicholas launched a great free kick from the right about 35 yards out, and it sailed into the goal mouth around 5-6 yards where little Roque was in perfect position to time his leap up in the air and head in a clean shot into the net for Inter's 1st goal. The offense was clicking well, and an arsenal shots were fired towards the net, including a hard shot by Sam from a nice pass from Glenn (who came in later) that hit high off the cross bar, and a header flick by Nat as well as another shot that went wide. Nat made a couple of good passes to Chris and Tomiwa, who both sent hard shots towards the net that also missed, and the half ended, 1-0, Inter. Nat returned to GK to start the 2nd half, with Philip, Mati, Nicky and Nicholas in the back, Patrick and Jamie in the mid-field, and Vitalis, Glenn and Skylar up to. Ebo took over GK from Ben about half thru the half, as Inter was in control of the match, not allowing the Magic any shots or corner kick situations, and Philip moved up into the center. The Magic and Inter both committed just 1 foul each, but Inter's offense was firing on all cylinders, sending a barrage of shots on goal from multiple players -- but only found success in finishing on one goa. At about the 6 minute mark, Glenn received a nice pass on the right about 25-30 yards out from Jamie or Skylar (?), dribbled forward a few yards, eluding defenders, turning to his left and fired a strong blast into the net past the surprised keeper. Glenn took another shot later that missed wide. Roque came in for Skylar about mid-way through the 2nd half and made a nice pass to Ben who missed a header attempt; Ebo took a couple of shots that went wide; and both Nat and Vitalis got into the action sending shots towards goal that missed their mark. In all, 10 shots were launched on goal but only one shot got through and the match ended, 2-nil, Inter. Inter will face its friends from NCSL/D1, Potomac Cougars '92, in the Semi-Final match later this afternoon, while Inter's friends from VA, Reston FC '91, will duel Seacoast United (NH) in the other Semi-Final.