USL LEAGUE TWO: Lionsbridge FC wins third game in six days, topples Northern Virginia in conference semis to advance
- Dan Stickradt
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Winning three soccer games in six days is never easy.
But for Lionsbridge FC, the effort was more than worth it.
Lionsbridge FC took down Northern Virginia FC 2-1 Sunday night at Townebank Stadium in Newport News, capping a three-win sweep in the USL League Two Playoffs.
Lionsbridge FC cruised past Charlotte Independence II (4-1) on July 15 in the Eastern Conference Play-In Game, before blanking Salem City (4-0) in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals after a near six-hour weather delay and finally coming back Sunday with the narrow win over NOVA.
Lionsbridge FC (12-2-3) outscored its three playoff opponents 10-2 to keep its season alive despite not winning its division. The side’s reward? They will advance to the Eastern Conference championship Friday night in Burlington, Vermont, where they will take on unbeaten and host Vermont Green FC (13-0-3).
Against NOVA, Christian Hatley scored in just the fourth minute and Sam Hall made it 2-0 in the 37th minute to help pave the way for a two-goal cushion at the half.
Jean-Phillippe Ayolmborg tallied in the 67th minute for Northern Virginia (11-2-3), but the side could not complete the comeback.
Henry Hampshaw made several clutch saves in the game, including a diving stop late in the first half and another late in the game to gain the win in goal for Lionsbridge. Lincoln Ulrich, Davide Materazzi and Samuel Hall collectively played solid defense to keep NOVA down to just one second-half goal.
Lionsbridge, the nation’s co-leader along with FC Tucson for most goals in the regular season (55-18), have now outscored its opposition 65-20 this season. The team will face one of the best defensive teams in the country in Vermont Green FC, which has allowed just 11 goals in 16 matches.
USL LEAGUE TWO–EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS PREVIEW: https://wix.to/wrXlPfR
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