Despite registering 21 shots on the evening, the Northern Virginia Majestics failed to find the net and finished even with the Fredericksburg Lady Gunners in a scoreless draw last night at Washington Lee High School. The 0-0 tie puts the Majestics at 1-4-4 and gave Fredericksburg (0-9-1) their first point of the season.

 

Northern Virginia held much of the possession on the night, yet showed no urgency in attacking during the first half. The best scoring opportunity of the match fell to the Lady Gunners in the 36th minute. A deep through ball penetrated the Northern Virginia central defense and fell to the feet of Gunner Kylie Hayes. Hayes dipped her shot over Majestic keeper Katherine Milstead, but the ball rattled off the crossbar before being cleared away.

 

The Majestics countered several minutes later and nearly grabbed the lead in the 41st  minute.  Majestic Ashley Banks blasted a volley from a driven Northern Virginia corner kick past Gunner keeper Nicky Davis, only to the goal denied by a clearance off the line by a Fredericksburg defender. The resulting deflection was rocketed back at the Gunner goal by charging Northern Virginia defender Mary Casey, yet that shot was cleared by a defender on the left side of the goal line.

 

The second half saw Northern Virginia increase their offensive pressure and push forward with conviction. The Majestics out shot the Lady Gunners 12 to 1 in the second half, but could not find a way past keeper Davis.

 

Northern Virginia’s Kelly Hammond led the charge from the midfield, recording 7 shots on her own. Hammond saw her shot sail just wide of the post in the 51st minute, and then created a golden opportunity in the 72nd minute. A quick give-and-go pass with forward Katie Watson left Hammond with a direct lane at the Fredericksburg goal. Hammond whistled her shot true, but a heroic fingertip save by Davis kept the Gunners even.

 

The Majestics attacked relentlessly in the waning moments of the game, but the Lady Gunner defense held to end the match scoreless.