News Summary
Lionsbridge FC secured their spot in the USL League Two playoffs with a commanding 7-0 victory over Patuxent Football Athletics. This triumph finishes their regular season strong, boasting a record of 12 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws. The team’s decisive win was complemented by Northern Virginia FC’s victory over Virginia Beach United, ensuring Lionsbridge’s playoff qualification. With standout performances from Christian Hatley and Evan Howard, the team is poised for a deep postseason run as they prepare to face Charlotte Independence II.
Virginia Beach, VA – Lionsbridge FC secured their spot in the USL League Two playoffs with a commanding 7-0 victory against Patuxent Football Athletics at TowneBank Stadium. The win on Saturday evening (7 p.m. start time) capped off the team’s regular season, which includes a record of 12 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws (12-2-3), placing them in a strong position to move forward in the postseason.
Alongside their victory, Lionsbridge needed the help of Northern Virginia FC, who were playing against Virginia Beach United simultaneously in Leesburg. Northern Virginia FC delivered, defeating Virginia Beach United 4-2 and consequently shutting down VBU’s chances of playoff contention while ensuring Lionsbridge qualified for the national playoffs.
Lionsbridge finished the regular season with 30 points, maintaining a division record of 9-2-3. The team demonstrated their dominance during the match against Patuxent, outshooting their opponents 21-5, epitomizing their offensive prowess.
Key Highlights of the Match
Christian Hatley set the tone for the game by scoring just two minutes into the match with a volley. Taig Healy followed suit in the 10th minute with a goal from a well-executed short corner kick. Evan Howard then took center stage, netting a remarkable hat trick within a span of seven minutes—his goals coming in the 34th, 35th, and 40th minutes—to give Lionsbridge a commanding 5-0 lead at halftime.
The second half saw further contributions from Lionsbridge, including a header from Sam Hall in the 47th minute and a goal by Isiah Chisolm in the 51st minute, finalizing the scoreline at 7-0. Taig Healy was a pivotal force in the game, providing two assists and enhancing Lionsbridge’s attacking threat.
Patuxent’s Struggles
For Patuxent, the match concluded a dismal season marked by a record of 0-12-2. The team struggled throughout the season in the competitive league, and the inability to secure any wins underscored their challenges on the field.
Virginia Beach United’s Season Ends
Virginia Beach United concluded their season with a record of 9-3-2, finishing with 29 points. This marked a significant change for the team, considering they made the playoffs in the previous season. Their defeat against Northern Virginia FC not only ended their playoff hopes but also reflected a competitive season in which they had hoped to improve upon their last year’s performance.
Division Standings
Northern Virginia FC captured the Chesapeake Division title with a record of 10-1-3, securing a total of 33 points. As for Lionsbridge, they are now set to face Charlotte Independence II in the first round of the playoffs, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday at TowneBank Stadium. The momentum gained from their previous friendly match, where they triumphed 9-1 over Virginia Beach City FC, with Ricky Louis also scoring a hat trick, is encouraging as they head into the playoffs.
The Lionsbridge FC team is prepared and looking forward to building on their successful season and playoff positioning as they aim for a deep run in the postseason.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Lionsbridge wins, qualifies for playoffs
- Wikipedia: USL League Two
- 13 News Now: Lionsbridge FC’s hat trick victory
- Google Search: Lionsbridge FC
- WYDaily: Lionsbridge caps friendly slate
- Google Scholar: USL League Two
- WTKR: Lionsbridge FC’s Lovett
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia Beach United
- Pilot Online: Virginia Beach United takes division lead
- Google News: Virginia Beach United
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
