The Northern Virginia Majestics Super 20 women won a hard fought contest 2-1 against the West Virginia Illusion. The teams were quite familiar with each as they had played only six days earlier. The Illusion won the first contest by the same score and the Majestics were determined to get a better result this time.

The first half was a cautious affair as both teams started off with defensive formations. The Majestics worked hard to contain the strong and fast West Virginia forwards while attacking the Illusion on the flanks. Liz Carroll’s creativity from the middle of the park allowed the Majestics to create several scoring opportunities. Kayley Sullivan was able to get behind the Illusion defense from her outside midfield position twice but the Majestics were unable to capitalize. The Illusion held strong and created a few chances before half time. The teams headed into the half knotted at 0-0.

The Majestics came out strong in the second half. The midfield took control and within two minutes created the first goal of the game. Stephanie Gerow found forward Jessie Cunningham open on the flank. Cunningham (East Carolina University) blew by one defender and raced into the box. Her left footed blast snuck in the near post to give the Majestics the lead.

The U16 Northern Virginia Royals completed the season sweep of the first place Triangle FC squad with a solid 3-1 result on the road in Durham, NC on Wednesday. Three goals by Northern Virginia forward Manny Rodriguez propelled the Royals to their second consecutive victory early in their season.

 

Game day for the U16 Royals was fit to be one of challenges. A pre-dawn bus departure coupled with 5-hour bus-ride fatigue made the notion of coming away with three points all the more difficult. Set against a Triangle side with speed, size, and knowledge of the game, the match was a true test of poise and will to win.

 

Northern Virginia started off strong, gaining the majority of possession and creating many scoring opportunities through the first part of the half. Royal Chris Yantz took advantage of a free kick inside his own half and found Jacob Doyle on a slotting run from the outside.   Doyle raced at the Triangle goal, only to be met with a harsh tackle earning Northern Virginia a penalty kick. Rodriguez placed the spot kick untouched past the Triangle keeper for the 1-0 advantage. 

After dropping their first two matches of the season, the Super 20 Northern Virginia Majestics rebounded to drub the East Tennessee Soccer Federation women 10-0.   Northern Virginia controlled play from the opening whistle and were able to keep the Majestic slate clean for the shut out.

 

The Northern Virginia Royals remain unbeaten after two matches this weekend, earning ties in both games.   On Friday, the Royals squared off against a talented East Tennessee squad. With both sides showing some impressive offense, the score reflected such with a 3-3 tie after 90 minutes.   Northern Virginia failed to hold a two goal lead on Sunday, allowing the Hampton Roads Piranhas to earn the late 2-2 draw.

 

Northern Virginia remains in second place in the South Atlantic conference at 2-0-2, just a single point behind the Carolina Dynamo.

   

The Super 20 Royals and Majestics each hit the road this week to face conference opponents. The Majestics visit the West Virginia Illusion on Monday and Traingle FC on Wednesday. The Super 20 Royals face a rematch against Triangle FC on Wednesday, an earlier match-up Northern Virginia won 2-0.

The Super 20 Northern Virginia Royals took the full three points in their 1-0 win against the Hampton Roads Piranhas Wednesday night at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex. With the victory, the Royals move into second place in the South Atlantic Conference with a game in-hand against the first place Carolina Dynamo.

 

The Royals battled with Hampton Roads for the entire 90 minutes in a match that featured quality play from both sides. Northern Virginia keeper Joel Helmick held Hampton Roads scoreless with defensive help coming from the defenders James Mallon, Zach Ward and Alex Procter.  The Royals attack saw several quality chances go begging throughout the game, the best coming to Calvin Koch through a Dan Lucas pass. Koch calmly collected the centering pass 12 yards from goal, but his shot whistled inches wide of the goal.

The match looked destined to end scoreless until the Royals received a free kick 25 yards from goal in stoppage time. Mike Foss stood over the ball and the left-footed defender rifled the kick, deftly curling the ball over the wall and into the right side netting for the 1-0 win on the road.

The Northern Virginia Royals Super 20 team rallied late to best the visiting Triangle FC 2-0, scoring both goals late in the second half. Triangle FC women’s Super 20 squad returned the favor, handily dispatching the Northern Virginia Majestics Super 20s 7-1 Sunday afternoon at Hellwig Park.

 

The upstart Royals began their 2008 campaign with a first half that featured solid control through the midfield, but lackluster opportunities on the Triangle goal. Good defending and some quality goalkeeping from the North Carolina side sent the frustrated Royals side into halftime even.

 

As they had done in the first 45 minutes, Triangle’s defensive third held for much of the second half, holding the Northern Virginia forwards in check. Royal Brandon Firban finally got the home side the lead, firing home a goal on a feed from teammate Donald Gibson. Gibson earned his second assist on the afternoon late, placing a pass to the feet of Royal AJ Sheta. Sheta dribbled through the middle and blasted home the insurance goal past the Triangle keeper for the 2-0 victory.