Bethesda Internationals

25 May '08. Returning to the MD SoccerPlex on another fabulous, bright, sunny day for an early morning 8:30am match with Coastal Thunder, 2008 Maine State Champs, the Internationals found themselves in an another familiar scenario where both teams had won their previous 2 preliminary matches, and the victor would advance to play -on in the Semi-Final later that day. But, this time around, Inter needed to just tie or win to advance where the Thunder needed to win due to Inter had the better goal differential (unlike when it did not have the goal differential edge at CASL 2007 vs. GSA Phoenix & Jefferson Cup 2008 vs. Team Ohio – both events/both teams had identical 2-0 records but Phoenix and Team Ohio had the better goal differential – and the Internationals played both teams to a scoreless draw and did not advance). The contest proved to be one heckuva dogfight with both defenses holding their ground and allowing just a single shot by each team that did not find the net while Inter set up 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful. Skylar launched a nice corner kick from the left side which sailed dangerously into the goal mouth and Nicholas’ header attempt went just wide of the far post. The Thunder were big, strong, fast and very physical, committing 8 fouls (including 1 handball) while the Internationals committed 5 fouls (including 2 high kicks). In the 2nd half, Coastal’s long ball assault manufactured 5 shots on goal, including a couple of 35-40 yarders with Seth grabbing one up high near the cross bar and making another great finger-tip save from a blast about 22 yards out. The Thunder also setup 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful while committing 10 fouls. Vitalis launched a hard shot on the run on the right side about 30 yards which sailed wide/left of net. Inter setup two corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing 7 fouls (including 1 offsides), and the matched ended scoreless, 0-0, and Inter would advance to play a Semi-Final against another Ohio team, Eagles SC (OH-S).