Bethesda Internationals

1 Jun. '08. After waiting out a passing thunderstorm yesterday which halted play on all fields, MSYSA officials canceled all other matches except those which were in play and halted earlier. Unluckily, Inter's match with Freestate was rescheduled to the same time today which was in direct conflict with Coach Mehlert's older son's graduation at 1pm as well as Nick A's scheduled flight back to Costa Rica at 3pm; however, Nick was able to reschedule his flight home to tomorrow at extra expense as well as missing another day of school, but, unfortunately, after a touch deliberation and discussion with family, Coach Mehlert missed his son's graduation ceremonies to remain at the helm of today's match with Freestate at the SoccerPlex on a warm, humid, sunny and breezy day. This was the 2nd meeting between Inter and Freestate in the State Cup Final -- Freestate (Titans) prevailed in the 1st meeting in 2005, 1-0. Inter kicked off in the 1st half with breezy cross wind left to right. In the 1st minute of play, Inter took the play into Elite's box where it appeared that Nate was fouled in the box but no call made. Just 1 minute later, on a counter attack by Elite, Inter was called for a foul just outside the 18 yard line and the DK with resultant header attempt sailed over the cross bar. The Elite's strong defense held Inter to just 2 shots on goal inclulding a shot by Nate on the right side about 25-28 yards out which was unsuccessful. Both teams played with great intensity and aggressiveness with Inter commiting 8 fouls while the Elite committed 11 fouls (including 1 offsides penalty). Freestate controlled most of the play shooting 4 times on goal and setting up 4 corner kick situations which all went awry -- except for one. At about the 23 minute mark, a ball was deflected backwards on Inter's right side and rolled towards the end line where Ben attempted to shield the ball as it appeared it would roll beyond the end line but an Elite player (Brian?) was able to tackle the ball away from in between Ben's legs before it rolled out and then managed a nice sharp-angled shot which sailed across the goal mouth past Seth, bending inwards into the far corner of the net, and the half ended, 1-0, Elite.  In the 2nd half, Inter stepped up its offensive attack, setting up several scoring opportunites including a nice shot by Vitalis 1v1 which missed wide, and another shot by on the left side 1v1 which missed wide right as well as several corner kicks launched by Ebo and Skylar which were unsuccessful.  All total, Inter would take 3 shots on goal and 3 corners but could not finish while committing 4 fouls.  Inter's defense held tight and Elite's 2 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks were all unsuccessful while committing 7 fouls, and the match ended, 1-0, Elite.  Congratuations to Freestate  Elite who earned a trip to the Region I Regionals in Maine at the end of the month.