Bethesda Internationals

25 Sep. '05. On another overcast day, Inter travelled out to Valley View Park in Bristow/Manassas,VA, to play the talented MATT Crew who always play highly competitive soccer against Inter. As was the case yesterday against MSC United, at the blow of the whistle to start the match, MATT Crew kicked off and possessed/controlled the ball very well, moving into and playing in Inter's half for much of the 1st half. MATT Crew took (6) shots on goal and Ben stopped (2) hard shots on the goal line. MATT Crew also created 1 corner kick opportunity which was unsuccessful, and committed 6 fouls. Inter committed 7 fouls and Chris received another YC for for tripping -- inadvertent stumble -- a MATT Crew player from behind. But, Inter pretty much controlled the remainder of the 1st half, and, it also took (6) shots on goal, a couple which were wide or weak and easily stopped by their excellent keeper. At about the 9 minute mark, Inter's defense (Nicky?) cleared a long ball up field to about 40 yards out where a MATT Crew defender attempted to head the ball away forward, but it caromed backwards towards MATT Crew's goal area where Roque was racing forward and was able to put his head on the ball to bump it further forward to a streaking Vitalis who collected the ball, dribbled a few yards and slammed in Inter's 1st goal. The 2nd half presented the sidelines with a spectacular bombardment of shots on goal by both teams, with MATT Crew sending (8) shots and Inter shooting (6) times, three of which were converted into great goals. At about the 4-5 minute mark, Sam received a pass on the left near mid-field and dribbled up field to about 18-20 yards and sent a superb pass in towards the left side of the goal to Vitalis who collected the ball, dribbled further into the left side of the goal near the end line and as the GK came out to challenge, made a beautiful left-footed 90 degree pass to the right of goal to a charging Roque who closed on the ball and sent in an easy shot into the net for Inter's 2nd goal. After a foul by MATT Crew at about the 16 minute mark, Skylar sent a nicely placed DK into the center of the goal box where Ben made a beautiful diving header shot into the net past the surprised MATT Crew GK -- who made a couple of outstanding saves in the 2nd half, coming out to challenge/stop a strong shot by Nicholas about 8 yards out from goal, and another teriffic save on a hard shot by Vitalis. Then, at about the 31 minute mark, Inter countered a MATT Crew attack and moved the ball into MATT Crew's half to about 25 yards out to the right where Nicholas lofted a nice ball over the defenders into the goal area about 12 yards out to Vitalis who collected the ball, dribbled a few yards and then fired a hard shot into the net past the GK. Credit MATT Crew for playing hard to the end of the match, and with about 2 minutes left, MATT Crew sent a great through ball up field between Inter defenders on the right. Nat had no choice but to come out to try to kick/clear the ball away at about 20-22 yards out but the kick was unfortunately deflected off a MATT Crew forward and the ball rolled forward towards the mid-center line about 40 yards out where another MATT Crew player was in perfect position and alertly kicked a very nice hard, long shot high in the air past Nat and past Philip -- who raced back to defend the goal line -- and into the upper net. Nat also made some great saves on a couple of very hard shots taken by MATT Crew.