After surrendering two goals in the second half to the New Jersey Wildcats, the Northern Virginia Majestics struck late to secure the tie on the final game of their weekend road trip.   Majestic Angie Harvey netted the equalizing goal in the 83rd minute, capping off a dogged Northern Virginia attack to earn the 2-2 comeback draw.

 

As they had the previous night on Long Island, the Majestics scored first in the 35th minute of play. Midfielder Jessica Paris found fellow Majestic Lisa DuCote open down the right side of the field and fed her a one-touch pass deep into Wildcat territory. DuCote fired a low crossing ball across the New Jersey goal mouth to an onrushing Natalie Arias, who pinged the shot off the right goalpost and into the left side-netting of the Wildcat goal for the 1-0 halftime advantage.

 

With the start of the second half, the home side Wildcats came roaring back. Four minutes into the half, New Jersey forward Kaila Sciascia pounced on a Northern Virginia miscue and punished the visitors by beating Majestic keeper Kerri Butler to bring the match even.  

 

New Jersey took the lead in the 65th minute when Wildcat defender Lissette Brandao pushed the pass to teammate Aimee Bresani in the middle. Bresani broke free and touched the ball over Butler for the go ahead goal.

 

Feeling the game slipping away, the Majestics launched a furious assault into the New Jersey defensive third. Northern Virginia’s vigilance paid off in the final minutes of the match when Kika Toulouse one-touched a return pass to Majestic Abby Lauer. Lauer drove a cross to the left far post, meeting the streaking Harvey in full stride. Harvey blasted the full volley untouched into the net for 2-2 final result.

 

Northern Virginia returns home next week for their home opener against the Connecticut Passion at Fairfax High School. Match time is set for 5:00PM.