The Northern Virginia Royals (1-3-0) failed to find the back of the net on Saturday evening, losing 2-0 to the Reading Rage at Fairfax High School.   A goal in each half gave Reading all they needed to earn their third straight win, leaving Northern Virginia to suffer their third straight loss.

 

From the onset of the match, Northern Virginia found difficulty establishing any possession and spent the majority of the half containing the Rage offense. Reading broke through in the final minutes of the half when a shot by Josh Saunders glanced off of a Northern Virginia defender, redirecting past a committed Royal keeper Alex Horwath for the 1-0 Rage lead at halftime.

 

The Rage doubled their lead in the 59th minute on a textbook finish by Tyrell Burgess from a cross by Adam Gazda. 

 

The Royals best chance of the night came late in the second half. Substitutes AJ Sheta and Matt Brady sparked the Northern Virginia offense during the final twenty minutes of play as the Royals attacked with a newfound sense of urgency. Brady drove a cross into the Reading penalty area as Sheta pounded the header towards the Rage goal. The ball sailed narrowly over the bar, eliminating any Northern Virginia comeback hopes.

 

Northern Virginia travels to Reading next week for a rematch with the Rage on Saturday day night. The Royals return home the following Saturday June 7th against the New Hampshire Phantoms. Match time is set at 7:00 PM at Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia.