The Northern Virginia Majestics completed the season sweep of the New York Magic with a resounding 4-0 victory Saturday night at Iona College. The Majestics offense came alive and the sturdy Northern Virginia defense contained the Magic attack, only allowing six shots on the night.
Northern Virginia faced the Magic just six days prior, relying on a single goal by midfielder Kelly Hammond to earn the win. The Majestics found their rhythm early and often, beginning in the 8th minute of play when midfielder Jessie Deegan lined up a free kick from the right side of the New York third. Deegan’s kick floated deep into the box and was struck solidly on the volley from charging Majestic forward Ashley Banks. Banks shot whistled past the Magic keeper for the 1-0 advantage.
Northern Virginia doubled the lead in the 23rd minute on a through ball to the foot of Hammond from Northern Virginia forward Katie Watson. Hammond raced in at the New York goal and slotted a low shot into the opposite left corner for the second tally of the evening.
United Soccer Leagues announced today the W-League Team of the Week for the thirteenth week of the USL season and named two Northern Virginia Majestics to the prestigious list. Majestic defender Mary Casey earned a spot on the top eleven players in North America and midfielder Kelly Hammond garnered Honorable Mention for their performances in games this past weekend.
On Friday night, the Northern Virginia Majestics found themselves two minutes away from a 1-0 loss at the hands of the New Jersey Wildcats. With the Majestics launching an all-out attack on the New Jersey net, defender Abby Lauer broke free in the right corner of the Wildcat box. Her low driven cross was pounded into the New Jersey goal by a thundering header from a crashing Casey in the 88th minute, giving the Majestics the 1-1 draw and earning her Team of the Week honors.
On Sunday night, the Majestics edged the New York Magic 1-0 on a flash of brilliance from Northern Virginia midfielder and team of the week honoree Hammond. Hammond’s game-winner came in the 15th minute of play when defender Casey spotted her open down the left side. Casey dropped the ball onto the foot of the streaking Hammond who found herself in alone against the New York keeper. Hammond cut left but blasted her shot right, hooking the ball into the far side netting of the Magic goal in the 15th minute to ultimately beat New York.
The Northern Virginia Majestics, plagued in recent weeks with the inability to score goals, found the net early and held on to edge the New York Magic 1-0 Sunday evening at Howison Park. Northern Virginia midfielder Kelly Hammond tallied the lone goal of the match and the Majestics defense did the rest to earn the victory.
The Majestics wasted little time in making their presence known, starting the match with a dogged attack at the New York goal. Northern Virginia defender Mary Casey nearly repeated her goal from Friday nights match in the 3rd minute, driving a pounded header at the Magic goal. However New York keeper Alicia DeFino (8 saves on the night) reacted quickly to deny Casey’s encore scoring performance.
Hammond’s game-winner came a short time later when defender Casey spotted her open down the left side. Casey dropped the ball onto the foot of the streaking Hammond who found herself in alone against keeper DeFino. Hammond cut left but blasted her shot right, hooking the ball into the far side netting of the Magic goal for the 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute.
The Northern Virginia midfielder nearly earned her second goal a short time later in the 21st minute. Majestic defender Megan Watson deftly maneuvered through the New York midfield and bolted down the right side of the penalty area. Watson’s rocketed cross found Hammond at the far post. Hammond’s one-touch volley at the goal was denied by the acrobatics of DeFino as the New York keeper deflected the shot wide.
