The Northern Virginia Royals dropped two games over the blistering weekend, falling 3-1 to the New Hampshire Phantoms before losing to the Fredericksburg Gunners 3-0 on Sunday. 

 

The opening minutes of Saturday’s match were not kind to the Royals and New Hampshire seemed to hold complete control. Phantom Steve Bonnell started the scoring for the visitors in only the 3rd minute of play on a cross from teammate Patrick Gay.  Hardly ten minutes late, New Hampshire midfielder Adrian Schippers fed teammate AJ Dubois for the two goal lead.   Schippers struck again with a goal of his own just two minutes later on a great ball by Kyle Urso.  

 

However, Northern Virginia regained their composure and stepped up offensive pressure late in the first half.   Shortly before the half time whistle, Northern Virginia forward Dave Atkinson drove a low ball across the Phantoms goal mouth. Royal Irad Young nimbly flicked the ball across to teammate Adam Wilson, who blasted the ball untouched into the New Hampshire net for the 3-1 halftime score.

 

As both teams headed back to the pitch for the second half, the officials stopped play due to approaching lightning strikes and both teams were ordered to the locker rooms. After three hours and several promising signs the game was officially called, giving the Phantoms the 3-1 final result.

 

The following night, the Royals travelled a short distance down the road to face the Fredericksburg Gunners. The oppressive temperature seemed to fuel tempers on both sides as the match saw five yellow cards and two ejections over the full ninety minutes.

 

Fredericksburg got on the scoreboard in the 36th minute when an Andrew Wheeler chip shot over the keeper glanced off the head of a Northern Virginia defender for the own goal. Two goals in the 74th and 77th minute sealed the 3-0 Fredericksburg victory.

 

Northern Virginia travels to rivals Richmond Kickers next weekend on Saturday, June 14th. The Royals return home on Saturday, June 28th, to face the Reading Rage at Washington Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia. Match time is set for 7:00PM.