ALL TOGETHER NOW
Severna Park grad Bernlohr leads Annapolis Blues to first playoff win over Grove United
As fans filed into their seats, with their snacks in hand and the sun beginning to set, players emerged from the tunnel and took the field.
Annapolis Blues flags waved in the wind while cheers for the home soccer side filled the air. Another large, boisterous crowd at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium was buzzing as the National Premier Soccer League playoffs were about to begin.
Striker Gordon Bernlohr scored a goal and assisted another as the Blues scored early and often on the way to a 4-1 victory over visiting Grove United FC on Wednesday night. Bernlohr, a Severna Park High graduate, was one of four goal-scorers for the Blues, who won the first playoff game in franchise history and advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Conference finals.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Annapolis coach Colin Herriot said. “Coming into the start of the season we had some goals that the team set and getting to the playoffs was one of them. Now that we have qualified for the conference final, it’s a massive achievement.”
The city of Annapolis has carried over its support of the fledgling club into the playoffs with an announced7,082 fans turning out for the midweek game. A sea of blue filled the stands, with energy and enthusiasm for the new club.
“It was really special to play on a Wednesday night and get 7,000 fans,” standout striker Jacob Murrell said. “It’s really incredible and I expect us to get a similar crowd on Saturday.”
Annapolis took an early lead by scoring a goal in the 11th minute off a corner kick from midfielder Luke Dunne. Winger Justin Harris used a nifty header to send the ball into the left side of the net and the home crowd roared its approval.
After trading possessions, goalkeeper Griffin Hemmindinger set an early tone defensively for the Blues. Grove United pushed deep into Blues territory and Hemmindinger stopped a fastbreak by coming out of the cage and colliding with midfielder Asanda Tom. With Tom down behind him, Hemmindinger was able to clear the ball.
Annapolis struck again shortly thereafter with Murrell, a McDonogh graduate and starting striker at Georgetown, doing the damage. Bernlohr made a nice pass ahead to Murrell, who split two defenders and beat the keeper with a sharp shot to make it 2-0.
Blues players gathered at the bottom of the stands to celebrate as the crowd cheered.
Annapolis continued to grow the lead in the 35th minute with Murrell soaring down the right side of the field and getting off a dangerous shot. Grove United goalkeeper Austin Aaron was able to deflect the ball away, but attacking midfielder Matias De Jesus pounced on the rebound and redirected the ball into the empty net to put Annapolis ahead 3-0.
Grove United finally got on the board late in the first half after forcing a turnover and quickly moving the ball ahead. Tom delivered a nice through ball to defender Arfenne Senior, whose shot slipped past Hemmindinger and cut the deficit to 3-1 at halftime.
“I think it’s crucial just in terms of how we play,” Herriot said of the two-goal advantage at the break. “Being able to take the pressure off and then from there we were aggressive and looked really confident.”
As the second half got underway, Annapolis FC continued to keep up the pressure offensively. De Jesus brought the ball upfield and made a cross to Murrell, whose header went straight into the arms of backup goalie Will Howard in the 53rd minute.
The Blues offense was not finished, however. Five minutes later, following a thrown-in, Murrell gathered the ball 10 feet from the goal and drew the goalie out of the net. Murrell then dished off to Bernlohr, who was able to finish with a strong header to the middle of the goal.
Holding a comfortable lead with time steadily winding down, the Blues began to sub in reserve players and continued to keep pressure on the Grove United defense.
Reserve winger Eric Gwadz attempted to increase the lead with a powerful shot off his right foot, but Howard made the stop at the end of the 84th minute. Gwadz would take another shot three minutes later, missing just over the top right corner.
“I think we had to bounce back after the loss on Sunday,” De Jesus said. “I think the team came out with pressure right away and got rewarded with the goals, but we still have work to do.”
Annapolis, which improved its record to 9-1-1, will return to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday (7 p.m.) to face Alexandria Reds FC in the Mid-Atlantic Conference championship game. The Reds handed the Blues their lone loss of the regular season this past Sunday.
Winner of Saturday night’s game advances to regional play.
“Tonight, proved part of what this group can be,” De Jesus said. “It’s a special group and I think if we all stick together with the same idea and same goals, we can do some special things like tonight.”