Bethesda Internationals

05 Jun. '05. After a day filled full of misting and light rain, the morning brought clouds and intermittent sunshine but no rain out at the nice MD Soccer Plex fields where Inter faced its D2 Division-leading friends, Potomac Cougars 92. The Cougars played very strong in the early minutes of the game, controlling mid-field play and pushing the ball up to Inter's side of the field. However, Inter's stingy defense effectively stopped any serious threat or shots on goal by the Cougars early on. At about the 12 minute mark, after Inter countered with an attack to the Cougar's goal mouth area, a hand ball in the box was called on a Cougar player, providing a PK opportunity for Inter. Skylar sent a crisp shot to the left of the GK for Inter's first goal. In a mostly defensive battle in the 1st half, both Inter and Cougars managed just 2 shots on goal with 1 corner each and bunches of fouls. In the second half, the Cougars were again successful in distributing the ball in the mid-field but their forwards were unable to finish due to smothering defensive pressure by Inter's defenders, and especially by Nicky who shut down the Cougars' talented number 4 forward. Inter was also quite successful in moving the ball up field and into position to take about 8 shots on goal while the Cougars were held shotless by Inter's strong defense. About 18 minutes into the 2nd half, Skylar received a pass to the center mid-field about 25 yards out and sent a nice pass into the goal mouth area to Mati, who settled the ball, turned and fired in the 2nd goal. Back and forth went the remainder of the 2nd half, with Inter creating numerous shots on goal that went wide or into the GK's arms, and the Cougars were unable to take any shots on goal, and the match ended, 2-0, in favor of Inter. Kudos to the much improved Cougars 92 for a great match. Inter looks forward to playing this excellent team again in D1 this fall. Inter advances to play the Final tomorrow against the talented Freestate Titans, who after the match was tied, 1-1, and 2 scoreless 10 minute OT's, defeated the mighty Roadrunners by PK's, 3-2.