Bethesda Internationals

9 May '06. On another splendid, bright and sunny late afternoon/early evening out at the MD SoccerPlex on a nice pitch, Inter played its good friends from Potomac SA, the Cougars '92. Nicky was not feeling well with a sore throat and sat out, while Nat started out on top with Ebo in goal and Philip in CMF along with Jamie. Inter's stingy defense held the Cougars to just 1 shot on goal and no corners with 7 fouls committed. Inter managed 4 shots on goal with a nice head attempt by Nat that missed around the 20 minute mark. And, Tomiwa sent a good service into the box to Glenn who missed a header attempt around the 30 minute mark. No corners were created and Inter committed 5 fouls (including 1 hand and 2 offsides), and the half ended scoreless. The Cougars intensified its physical play in the 2nd half, committing 7 fouls (including 2 hand balls), and 1 Yellow Card was shown to #8 for a hard foul. The Cougars were held to just 1 shot on goal but did manage 1 unsuccessful corner kick around the 30 minute mark. Inter committed 7 fouls (including 1 hand and 1 offsides) and took 5 shots on goal with 2 unsuccessful corner kicks at the 17 and 22 minute marks. The Cougars' GK grabbed the ball off of the latter CK and made a great, long boot upfield behind Inter's defenders who could not get back quick enough from the CK positions, and it was a foot race with Jamie and Roque to chase down the speedy Cougar player, and after a flurry of dangerous activity in front of Inter's goal mouth, Jamie was able to clear the ball out of harm's way. After a foul by the Cougars at about the 33 minute mark, Skylar launched a perfect direct kick from about 25 yards on the right into the goal mouth about 6 yards out where Ben jumped up to attempt to head the ball into the net at the same time as the Cougars' GK went to grab the ball but it deflected out and over to Mati who headed in the fortuitous, game-winning goal. Inter was able to hold off the Cougars for the next 4 minutes with what appeared to be 2 minutes of overage time for a previous Cougar injury. Inter was fortunate to come away with a win in today's match as players did not seem to be in their best game form/sync and did not hustle to ball as quickly as the Cougars. And, the Cougars should be commended for their valiant effort in playing well in this tight match down to the wire.