Bethesda Internationals

3 Aug. '08. Back out at the beautiful Polo Grounds on a splendid, warm, sunny and still breezy morning, the Internationals faced the Black Watch Griffins (NY-E), which had dropped the 1st two round matches to CZ Elite and Santa Rosa United Gold. It was expected that the Griffins would be playing for pride and Inter could not let their guard down against this determined team. In the 1st half, Inter controlled play and its defense allowed just one shot on goal which went awry while the Griffins committed (9) fouls (including 1 handball and a YC shown to #15 for a hard foul on Chris). Inter launched a barrage of shots on goal in all total (9) which just missed wide or high over the cross bar while committing just one foul. At about the (27) minute mark, alas, Chris received a ball upfield on the right from (?) and served the ball into the goal mouth around 6 yards out where Marcel was in perfect position to strike in the go ahead goal and the half ended several minutes later, 1-0, Inter. In the 2nd half, the Griffins played much more aggressively and with dogged determination committing (7) fouls (including 1 handball and a RC show to #15 for a foul from behind on Nate at the (15) minute and the Griffins played a man down for the rest of the 30 minute half. Inter's back line stymied the Griffins holding them to no shots or corners taken, but their defensive pressure held Inter to just one shot on goal and one corner kick while committing (5) fouls (including 2 offsides). At about the (16) minute mark, Skylar launched a free kick from about 30 yards out on the left into the box where Nat E. headed the ball forward to Chris who finished the shot putting Inter up, 2-0, and match ended several minutes later, 2-0, Inter. By winning its preliminary matches, 1-0, 1-0 and 2-0, Inter amassed a total of (25) points to win the group and move on to the quarter-final later this afternoon and play the 2nd place finisher from Group A, Texans 91/92 Red (TX-S). Our CA-S friends, CZ Elite, had beaten Santa Rosa United Gold in an earlier match, 5-1, and ended up with (19) points, finishing 2nd in the Group and will move on to play the 1st Place winner in Group A, Legends FC/Stampede FC (CA-S) later this afternoon.