Northern Virginia Royals U16 Super Y-League entered into the final weekend of league play in third place with matches against the two teams above them in the South Atlantic division. Seemingly unfazed by the task at hand, the Royals finished the weekend with a miraculous last minute goal, beating the Richmond Strikers 3-2 and propelling them into the league championships.
With all three team vying for the single divisional berth into the USL North American Finals, the Royals needed a weekend sweep to earn the trip to the Super Y-League championships. After edging first place CASL Railhawks 3-2 on Saturday, the U16 Royals raced home to face instate rival Richmond Strikers to decide the South Atlantic winner Sunday.
The Royals grabbed the early lead on a goal by Travis Pittman. A sturdy defense held the Strikers at bay, and the half ended with Northern Virginia leading 1-0. However, the second half began quite differently, and the upstart Richmond side launched a crazed offensive assault trying to gain the trip to the finals. Two quick goals in fairly rapid succession gave the Strikers the lead late into the match.
With the South Atlantic title on the line, the Royals surged forward on an attack of their own. Momentum quickly switched sides again, and Royal Zach O'Neill buried the equalizer in the 69th minute to even things at 2-2.
As the time wound down, it looked as if the decision was to be a draw. In the last minute of play, a late through pass from teammate Eric Wootten found Pittman with his second opportunity of the night. After receiving the fed ball from Wootten, Pittman drove through the Striker defense and fired true, sending a rocket untouched into the Richmond net for miraculous 3-2 comeback victory.
The Northern Virginia Majestics U16 Super Y-League team earned their trip to the finals on Saturday, routing the visiting Richmond Kickers 8-2 at the Word of Grace soccer complex in Herndon, VA. The U16 Majestics are 7-3-1and have outscored their opponents this season 39 goals scored to 19 goals allowed.
Two additional Northern Virginia FC teams remain in contention for a championship tournament bid. The U14 Super Y-League Majestics can earn a trip to the North American finals with a victory in Raleigh on August 22nd against the CASL Railhawks. The U17 Super Y-League Royals can also qualify with victories in their two remaining games, both against Triangle FC from Cary, NC.
Complete match scores from Sunday August 12th:
U13 GIRLS
1 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS
0 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U14 GIRLS
1 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS
2 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U15 GIRLS
2 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS
0 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U16 GIRLS
2 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS
3 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U13 BOYS
2 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA ROYALS
6 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U14 BOYS
2 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA ROYALS
1 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U15 BOYS
3 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA ROYALS
0 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U16 BOYS
3 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA ROYALS
2 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
U17 BOYS
1 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA ROYALS
1 - RICHMOND STRIKERS
