By Tyler Lewin
The Annapolis Blues defeated FC Frederick in front of a record-breaking crowd. The first ever home game for the Annapolis Blues set the all-time NPSL record for attendance, coming in at 8,368 people. In a picture perfect a 70-degree Saturday night at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the game was filled with attacking action between both sides.
The first goal of the match came in the 9th minute when Brennan Gac slipped a through ball in-between the defenders, finding FC Frederick captain John Eskay in his stride. Making no mistake, Eskay sent Blues goalkeeper Griffin Hemmendinger the wrong way as he slotted it home to the keeper’s left. The Blues quickly retaliated with a chance in the 13th minute as Jacob Murrell played a ball into the feet of Francis Meyer who cut inside, beating two defenders and placing his shot just wide of the far post.
The Blues supporters were in full force and made themselves known in the 17th minute. Fans erupted, shouting for a penalty as Matias de Jesus found a ball into space for Jacob Murrell who was ultimately sandwiched between defenders and made his way to the ground.
In the 30th minute the Blues would equalize via Murrell. Receiving the ball at the top of the box, Toshi Davis lifted a first-time pass into the feed of Murrell. Murrell then turned his defender, cutting inside to the left, and fired home the first ever Annapolis Blues home game goal, beating FC Frederick goalkeeper Gonzalo Bartoli on his near post.
Eskay would find the back of the net again for FC Frederick in the 48th minute. Driving down the left-hand side of the pitch, Ben Weller crossed the ball in and found the feet of Eskay, inside the six yard box, who placed the ball above the head of Hemmendinger. The blues would equalize again in the 72nd minute off of a freekick just outside the box. With the Blues drawing a foul on the edge of the box, Elton de Oliveira Santos stepped up and took aim with his right foot, as his shot deflected off the wall and found its way into the back of the net passed the second half substitute FC Frederick keeper Jonah Valmonte.
In the 77th minute Gordon Bernlhor took the lead for the Blues. Murrell slipped the ball through to the feet on Bernlhor who slotted the ball low into the bottom corner of the far post, leaving the Valmonte with no chance. “I grew up playing for Annapolis rec soccer”, Bernhlor stated, “so it’s a full circle moment. I’m just doing my best to help the team and the city that I grew up in.” Bernhlor, a Severna Park native, will be entering his senior year at Catholic University of America and is a two-time All-Landmark Conference First Team player.
“If I’m being perfectly honest”, said head coach Colin Herriot, “I don’t think it was our best performance. The crowd tonight were fantastic and that definitely helped us get through the tough moments.” The blues would double their lead in the 79th minute through Jackson Ruckman. Bernlhor’s cross form the left-hand side of the pitch was met with the head of a FC Frederick defender, ultimately falling to the feet of Ruckman who hammered his shot home on a half volley, into the bottom corner.
Annapolis Blues general manager Fred Matthes was overcome with emotion and support from the fans. “I was walking on the concourse before the game started and people were thanking me for bringing the game to Annapolis, and I was thanking them for coming out and supporting this team”, Matthes stated. “Thank you everybody who came out tonight and all the other nights too. We want to do this right and continue to set the bar as high as we can.”
The Blues will hit the road for their next game, taking place on June 7th against Northern Virginia United, slated for a 7pm kickoff. The following game will see the Blues return home to Annapolis as they take on Virginia Beach City FC at 7pm.
