Photo Courtesy Annapolis Blues
The Annapolis Blues secured a 5-0 win over Grove Soccer United in its final game of the 2024 regular season, Saturday, July 6, and clinched the top seed in the Mid-Atlantic conference playoffs.
While the opening 20 minutes saw minimal attacking action, it was still a display of domination by the Blues. Annapolis maintained the line share of possession, and found the breakthrough in the 21st minute. Miles Avery continued his hot streak, scoring off of a corner kick. Matias De Jesus managed to save a bouncing ball that almost went over the end line, kicking a volley across and into the mouth of the goal. The Grove defender attempted to clear the ball, however his clearance was weak and fell right to the feet of Avery who took a touch to settle and finished calmly into the back of the net.
An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect for the match, leading to a hydration break given in the 34th minute. Following the hydration break, the Blues continued its strong performance, keeping 77 percent of the possession and allowing minimal attacking opportunities to Grove Soccer United who only recorded one shot in the half.
Brady Geho wasted no time getting to business, doubling the Blues lead in the 49th minute. Coming hot out of the half, the Blues attacking press caused Grove to make a costly mistake. A Grove defender went to play a pass out of the back to a holding midfielder, but under hit the ball. De Jesus pressed the midfielder whose attempted chest-ball went loose and was taken by Geho, who then took a touch and slotted the ball under the onrushing Grove goalkeeper.
Off the bench and onto the scoresheet within minutes, Alex Abril scored the third goal for the Blues. Toshi Davis played a through ball to Abril, however there was much work to be done. Abril dribbled downfield and made his way into the box, beating one defender on his way. As he approached another defender on the left week, Abril cut inside the box to beat another, and then fired his shot into the bottom left corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance to make a save.
Two minutes later, Abril scored his second goal. Another through ball was played to Abril, this time beating the Grove defense. The Grove goalkeeper came rushing out to the top of his box, but was beat to the ball by Abril who connected with the bouncing ball for a first-time shot that found the bottom right corner of the empty net. Alek Wroblewski made it 5-0 in the 65th minute after Abril drove down the right side of the field and played a perfect through ball to Wroblewski on the left wing. Wroblewski then drove at his defender, cut inside, and managed to take a shot that beat two defenders and nestled into the bottom right corner. The fifth goal would be the final, propelling the Blues to a 5-0 victory.
Saturday’s match concluded the 2024 NPSL regular season. Finishing with a 9-0-1 record, scoring 38 goals and conceding 11, the Blues finished atop the Mid-Atlantic Conference Table and secured the No.1 seed for conference playoffs. Its next match will take place on Wednesday, July 10th against FC Frederick, the No.4 seed, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
