Photo Courtesy Annapolis Blues
In the NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference Semi-Final on Wednesday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Annapolis Blues came away with a commanding 5-0 win over FC Frederick.
Wednesday’s match marked the third meeting between the two sides this season, with Annapolis coming away victorious in both of the prior outings by scores of 4-2 and 4-1. The opening 20 minutes did not see much action from either side, however it was made apparent early on that the heat, humidity, and looming storm-like conditions would have a significant affect on the match.
Nic Shirley opened the scoring for the Blues in the 21st minute off a corner kick. It was another perfect set piece delivery from Matias De Jesus, who’s cross from the right side was lifted high to the back post. Leaping over his defender, Shirley connected with the corner and headed the ball into the top of the next, beating Frederick goalkeeper Noah Kump who couldn’t react fast enough.
Kump redeemed himself with a solid kick-save on Alex Wroblewski in the 26th minute. Wroblewski, inside the box, cut in from the left side to beat his defender and hit a shot from eight yards out. Attempting to find the bottom right corner, Wroblewski’s shot was saved by Kump at full reach.
The Blues were awarded a penalty in the 41st minute. De Jesus, making an attacking run, attempted to get onto the end of a lifted throughball. As De Jesus made his way into the 18-yard box, Frederick defender Brennan Gac shoved De Jesus through the back, leading to a penalty and ultimately, a yellow card. De Jesus stepped up to the spot and confidently finished his chance by placing the ball into the mid-right side of the goal.
Coming out of the half Erick Villatoro was shown a yellow card in the 52nd minute after going through the back of De Jesus in the middle of the field. Luke Dunne was substituted on in the 55th minute for Shirley who was nursing an injury from the end of the first half.
De Jesus scored his second in the 56th minute. Toshi Davis picked up the ball on the left wing, just outside the 18-yard box, and played a cross-field pass that was dummied by Alex Abril, fooling the Frederick defense. The ball found the feet of De Jesus who was wide open on the right side of the box. Making no mistake, De Jesus rocketed the ball into the upper corner of the near post.
Not done yet, De Jesus scored his third of the match in the 74th minute. Winning the ball outside the box, De Jesus then turned one defender and muscled off another. Continuing his run, he made his way to the edge of the box and fired home a left-footed shot that found the top right corner of the net.
Rich Monath would add a fifth for the Blues, making an impact in the 81st minute after coming in as a second half substitute. Mikey Revell drove toward the Frederick defense and played a square pass to Monath inside the box. Wide open on the left side of the field, Monath cut inside and calmly slotted his shot into the bottom right corner, nestling into the back post.
The Blues will host the Mid-Atlantic Conference Finals on Saturday, July 13th against the winner of the other conference semi-final, Alexandria Reds vs Virginia Dream. The final will be played at Naptown’s beloved Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium.
