The Northern Virginia Royals battled through stormy weather and torrential rain for nearly the full 90 minutes, emerging with a 3-1 win over the visiting Virginia Legacy. Two first half goals propelled Northern Virginia to the victory, earning the third win for the 2008 season.

 

Following a full hour delay for thundershowers, the Royals stormed out onto the pitch and struck first in the opening minutes. Northern Virginia defender Zach Ward fed fellow Royal Brian Hinkey in the 4th minute and Hinkey fired a laser from outside the box, striking nothing but Legacy net for the 1-0 lead.

 

The Legacy soon found themselves reduced to ten men on the pitch as Niko Aleksandrov earned two yellows in rapid succession in the 17th and 26th minutes. The Royals doubled their lead just before half as Northern Virginia forward AJ Sheta collected a cross from Matt Brady and slotted the ball past Legacy keeper Andrew McAdams for the ultimate game-winner in the 44th minute.

 

Despite several brilliant saves by McAdams, the Legacy fell victim to the Royals again in the 60th minute. Sheta, looking to return the earlier favor, drove a low cross in front of the Legacy goalmouth to teammate Brady. The crashing Brady expertly slid into the oncoming pass, pounding the ball past McAdams for the Royals third goal.

 

The Legacy got themselves on the scoreboard in the 82nd minute of the game as defender Chris Miller finished a Doug McBride corner kick. The goal was all the visiting side could muster and the Royals celebrated their hard earned 3-1 victory.

 

Northern Virginia returns home this Friday, July 18th, to face the Richmond Kickers at Howison Homestead Park in Woodbridge, Virginia. Match time is set for 6:00PM.