Both teams seemed eager to get on the scoreboard early as the opening twenty minutes of the match saw the majority of the night’s shots. Majestic forward Ashley Johnson nearly gave Northern Virginia the lead in the 10th minute on a glancing header to the upper corner, but Charlotte keeper Katherine Forbis made the acrobatic save to keep things even.

 

Both defenses settled in the latter part of the first half, and the match turned in to a battle for control in the center of the field. Although physical at times, the remainder of the half played out fairly even and ended scoreless.

 

Charlotte grabbed the lead fairly early in the second half when Eagle midfielder Hailey Beam broke free down the left side and drilled a shot to the near post of the Majestic goal. Northern Virginia keeper Olivia Brown (four saves on the night) made a spectacular save, but the ball rebounded into the Majestic six yard box. The racing Rife buried it home for the ultimate game-winner in the 54th minute.

 

Northern Virginia nearly leveled the match late when substitute Jasmine Riley blasted a low shot at the left corner of the Eagle goal, but Forbis once again was up to the challenge. Her diving save took the wind out of Northern Virginia’s attack and solidified the 1-0 Charlotte victory.

 

The loss drops the Majestics to an Atlantic Division record of 1-5-0. Northern Virginia has yet to score a goal on the road this season.

 

Northern Virginia completes their southern road trip on Saturday night, facing off against the first place Atlanta Silverbacks. The Majestics return home on Saturday, June 27th, for a rematch with Charlotte at Hellwig Memorial Field in Manassas, Virginia. Match time is scheduled for 6:00PM.