The Northern Virginia Royals edged local rival Fredericksburg Gunners 2-1 in a physical contest Wednesday night at Wakefield High School. Goals by Royal forwards Matt Brady and AJ Sheta propelled Northern Virginia to the hard fought victory over the upstart central Virginia club.
Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg set an early tempo of exchanging opportunities at the start of the match. Both clubs effectively possessed the ball through the midfield, but could not find a way through the opposing sides defensive third. Just before half time, Royal midfielder Irad Young spotted teammate Brady through the middle and fed him a slotted pass in stride. Brady raced in at goal and deftly touched the ball past the committed Gunner keeper Ken Manahan for the 1-0 lead.
The ultimate game winner came partway through the second half on an impressive individual effort by forward Sheta. After controlling the ball near midfield, Sheta appeared to have reluctantly dribbled himself into a pack of Gunner defenders. With an acrobatic half-spin and quick burst of speed, Sheta burst free of the Gunner defense to find himself alone against keeper Manahan. Sheta’s rapid blast rippled the Fredericksburg net before the Gunner keeper had time to react, giving the home side the 2-0 advantage.
Fredericksburg halved the Royal lead in the 71st minute on a Matt Lacey finish from Gunner player/coach Christian Neagu’s cross into the goalmouth.
Milder temperatures across the region did little to cool heated exchanges on the field, and the latter part of second half saw tensions rise on both sides. Five cautions were dished out to players on both teams for several hard tackles, four of which given in the final 15 minutes. As the referee whistle signaled the end of the game, Northern Virginia finally had reason to celebrate, earning three points for the second time this season.
The victory marks the first time Northern Virginia has beaten the Fredericksburg squad since they joined the USL last year.
Northern Virginia returns home on Friday, July 11th, to face the Hampton Roads Piranhas at Howison Homestead Park in Woodbridge, Virginia. Match time is set for 7:00PM.
