The Ladies of the U9 Bethesda Academy invaded Howard County at the OBGC Capital Cup Tournament this past weekend and put on an outstading display of skill. The Bethesda White started off the tournament saturday morning against the Baltimore Bays Elite. Always a powerful and athletic team with a history of success in Maryland soccer, the Bays were a formitable and very crisp in their execution. But the BW girls turned in a valiant and courageous effort, continuing their attacking ways, to earn a very well deserved and hard fought 1-1 draw with their northern neighbors. In the second game of the tournament, the BW ladies were pitted against the highly regarded SAC Premier team from Columbia. BW came out the box like fire, although spending much of the first half in their own territory, their defense was outstanding, and in true counter attacking fashion, scored 2 early goals off their suberb transition. But SAC was determined, and came back with 2 goals in the second half. The game ended in another draw for the Bethesda White team. After the first day, the Bethesda White ended up with 2 draws and in second place in their bracket behind the SAC Premier team.

The Bethesda Blue started off the day with an emotional and bone crunching match against the SAC Classic team from Columbia. The game started off in wild fashion as the both teams spent an equal amount of time in their own half, however, BB showed their exceptional individual skills and finally found the back of the net late in the first half with a fine display of workman like perfection. Early in the second half, SAC stole a goal, but BB would not be denied, and late in the second half found the back of the net again to seal the win. With a win under their belt, the Bethesda Blue took on the Baltimore Bay Angels, a team that had only lost one game in the last two years. The Blue were not intimidated as they took the game straight to the Angels, and spent the majority of the first half controlling the midfield and pressing for that illusive first goal. However, late in the first half, the Angels got off a breakaway goal, to take the lead. In the second half, the Bays ability to mass substitute wore down Blue, and they were able to score two more goals, but not without Blue pounding the Bays goal with numerous shots on goal. The day ended with Bethesda Blue winning one and losing one and in second place in their bracket behind Bethesda Bays.

On Sunday, the Bethesda White started off the day against a quick, and physical Springfield, VA team. It was a very heated and hard fought battle in which the BW girls controlled the the majority of the game except the first five minutes. But Springfield's defense was stauch and the tenacious BW girls could not find the space for clear shots on goal. Early in the second half, Springfield scored on a breakaway goal. The BW girls pushed, and pounded the ball in Springfield's half for remainder of the game but cold not get in the net. The game ended with Bethesda White losing a heart breaking and frustrating game 0-1.

But with heartbreak comes success, and later in the morning, the Bethesda Blue played Lower Merion, PA and got untracked, unleashing an onslaught, showing their skills in an attacking football style winning 5-3. BB were all over the field, controlling the entire game early, jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the first half. After a scary moment when Lower Merion scored to make the score 3-2, Blue took charge again and ended the game by scoring two more outstanding goals. Lower Merion added a consolation goal late in the game, but Bethesda held on.

The girls showed what in store for this year, and it will be an OUTSTANDING year for Coach Chris and the girls. Look out Maryland, the Ladies of Bethesda are here!