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Annapolis, M.D. (07/12/2023) – Midweek soccer in Naptown would see the Annapolis Blues play host to Grove United in the opening round of the 2023 NPSL playoffs.
The Blues didn't waste any time, scoring from a corner kick in the 10th minute. Matias de Jesus swung the ball in from the right side of the field. The corner kick was met by Justin Harris' flying head, who scored the first goal for the Blues by heading it into the lower right corner of the far post.
Jacob Murrell, the leading goal scorer for Blues, doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute. A chipped pass found the feet of Gordon Bernlohr. The ball was touched carelessly by Grove's defender before rebounding back to Bernlohr, who then used his following touch to advance the ball past the defender. When Murrell was near the top of the six-yard box, Bernlohr played a straightforward pass across the goal face to him, and Murrell was able to roll the ball into the goal.
De Jesus scored for the Blues in the 36th minute as they continued to press forward. After Murrell's initial shot was blocked, the previous assist maker scored the goal. Following a one-on-one opportunity, Murrell's effort was saved by the Reds' advancing goalkeeper; the rebound came to de Jesus' feet, allowing for a straightforward tap-in from 12 yards away. In the 37th minute, the Reds were able to get one back. The Reds striker received a through ball and sprinted past three Blues players. The striker sent a square pass to another Reds attacker, resulting in an uncontested goal from eight yards out, after Griffin Hemmindinger ran out of his goal to challenge the player.
The Blues scored the game's last goal in the 59th minute. The fourth goal would share a similar relationship to the second goal, only that Bernlohr would score it this time and Murrell would provide the assist. Murrell gained space from his defender following a throw in from the near side of the field and hoisted the ball over the goalkeeper for the Reds. His chipped ball landed on Bernlohr's head, and from four yards out, he scored into the empty net. The Blues continued to control the game for the majority of the second half, but neither team was able to create any meaningful opportunities.
Annapolis will take on the Alexandria Reds this Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m. Due to their regional and national rankings, the Blues will continue to be the home team in the playoffs for the foreseeable future.
