Photo Courtesy of Annapolis Blues
In a match full of excitement on Wednesday evening, June 12th, the Virginia Dream handed the Annapolis Blues its first loss of the season. The Blues stay atop the conference table.
The opening minutes saw both sides make a few small mistakes that led to half-chances for the respective oppositions’ attacks, but there were no major opportunities to write about. However, it would be Andy Hernandez who would open the scoring in the 17th minute for the Dream. Elton De Oliveira had the ball at his feet in possession but played a pass right to the feet of the Dream attacker; a poor giveaway for the Blues. Taking one touch, Hernandez then unleashed a shot from over 25 yards out that beat Owen Allegro at the near post, who was caught high off his line after the unexpected giveaway. Allegro managed to get a hand to it but was not able to push it wide, as the shot found the back of the net.
Luis Aguilar of the Dream received the first yellow card of the match in the 25th minute for an accumulation of numerous fouls. Just two minutes later, the Blues were awarded a penalty kick. Geho was in, one-on-one with U.S National Team legend Bill Hamid, when Jimmy Filerman attempted to make a recovery challenge but took Geho down from behind. Filerman would receive a yellow card for his challenge. Matias De Jesus stepped up to the spot confidently, sending Hamid the wrong way and placing his penalty kick in the bottom right corner.
With both sides battling for control, the Dream took the lead once again. Angel Chavez received the ball 30 yards out on the left wing and drove toward the goal, avoiding a sliding challenge attempt by Miles Avery. Continuing into the box, Chavez calmly slotted his shot on the ground, in between the legs of Allegro.
Avery would pick up the first yellow card for the blues in the 58th minute following a sliding challenge on Hernandez who was breaking free on the wing. In the 62nd minute Avery would be sent off, receiving a straight red card after coming in late and connecting heads with Chavez. Being a man down, the Blues refused to give up without a fight. In the 73rd minute De Jesus secured his brace. Alex Abril played a through ball across the field from the left-hand side of the box, which found the feet of Loc San. With his back to goal, San took a touch and played a layoff pass to De Jesus who smashed the ball first-time, without breaking stride, into the top of the net to equalize for the Blues.
In the 83rd minute the Dream took the lead once again. Receiving the ball 20 yards out from goal, Filerman sprinted toward the box. Just as Luke Dunne went to apply pressure, Filerman release a strike from 18 yards out that beat Allegro on the ground and made its way into the bottom corner of the back post. With five minutes left to play, the Dream doubled the lead. Allegro was outside his box, attempting to keep possession with the back line. He attempted to find the feet of Nick Shirley but under hit his pass which fell right to the feet of Cristian Fuentes who skillfully beat both Shirley and Allegro, leading to an easy finish into the empty net.
Following its last home match, the Blues now hold the top five spots for highest attended matches in NPSL history. Having now scored 30 goals through six matches and only allowing six goals, the Blues will look to bounce back soon and return to winning ways. Fortunately, they will get another stab at victory soon enough as they return to Naptown this Sunday, June 16, matching up against FC Frederick at 5 p.m.
