Photo Courtesy Annapolis Blues
Annapolis Blues season ends after a 2-0 loss to Virginia Dream FC in the Mid-Atlantic Conference Finals.
Saturday’s match would see the #1 seed in Annapolis take on the #3 seed, Virginia Dream. The stage was set perfectly, as the Blues only loss this season came to Dream on June 12, in a 4-2 away loss.
The Blues first chance came ion the 4th minute. Alex Abril darted down the left wing, making his way into the box. As he cut inside, Abril’s curled shot took a deflection off the foot of the sliding defender, flying just wide of the back post. Tempers started in flair in the 16th minute after Alex Wroblewski drug down Angel Chavez in the middle of the field. Both players came chest-to-chest, causing a short scuffle between both sides.
After 30 minutes of action, the play was paused for a brief hydration break. The first portion of the half started slow and did not see many significant chances, a clear indication of the weather’s affect on the match.
In the 40’ minute, Nic Shirley was awarded a yellow card after he fouled Dream forward Nicholas Beil, who was attempting to get in behind the Blues’ defensive line. With the foul coming on the edge of the box, Saxon Walcott, filling in for the injured Owen Allegro, would be tested for the first time in the match. Harri Hawkins stepped up confidently to take the freekick, and ultimately opened the scoring for the Dream. After one player faked the freekick shot, Hawkins followed up and curled the ball perfectly with his shot kissing the post and nestling into the top left corner.
Starting the second half in a 1-0 deficit, Annapolis would need a big performance in order to continue its playoff run. Leo Palomo, after struggling to get going, received a yellow card in the 59th minute following a foul in the midfield. Mikey Revell was substituted on in the 62nd minute for Wroblewski, as Head Coach Colin Herriot looked to get the attack going.
In the 65’ minute Jean-Christophe Koffi fouled Palomo, resulting in a free kick from 20 yards out. Ismailcan Usta stepped up to free kick from the left side, but it was blocked by the Dream defender. However, this attack would spark some hope for the Blues and create a more aggressive attitude to push for an equalizer. In the 70th minute, Rich Monath found himself on the left wing with the ball at his feet. Cutting inside, Monath took a shot that found the hands of Bill Hamid who made an easy diving save at his near post.
Walcott kept the Blues in the match, with a double save in the 87th minute. Anthony Diaz released a shot eight yards out that was saved by a diving Walcott to his left. The rebound was followed up by Jakob Asfaha whose shot was saved once again by a diving Walcott. In the 89th minute, Walcott was called on again. #11 took his chance on a volley through traffic to the near post that was saved by Walcott at his near post, thanks to his cat-like reflexes.
Diaz would finish the game off the Dream, scoring in the 96’ minute. Diaz found himself in a one-on-one with Walcott, and calmly slotted his chance home at the near post.
While the season may be over for the Blues, there were three players nominated for NPSL awards. Owen Allegro has been nominated for the NPSL Golden Glove Award, Colin Herriot for NPSL Coach of the Year, and Leo Palomo has for Mid-Atlantic Conference MVP.
