The Northern Virginia Majestics, plagued in recent weeks with the inability to score goals, found the net early and held on to edge the New York Magic 1-0 on Sunday evening at Howison Park in Prince William County. Northern Virginia midfielder Kelly Hammond, a Davidsonville, Md. resident tallied the lone goal of the match and the Majestics defense did the rest to earn the victory.
The Majestics, part of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, wasted little time in making their presence known, starting the match with a dogged attack at the New York goal. Northern Virginia defender Mary Casey nearly repeated her goal from Friday’s match in the third minute, driving a pounded header at the Magic goal. However New York keeper Alicia DeFino (8 saves on the night) reacted quickly to deny Casey’s encore scoring performance.
Hammond’s game-winner came a little later when defender Casey dropped the ball onto the foot of the streaking Hammond, who found herself in alone against keeper DeFino. Hammond cut left but blasted her shot right, hooking the ball into the far side netting of the Magic goal for the 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute.
The Northern Virginia midfielder nearly earned her second goal in the 21st minute. Majestic defender Megan Watson deftly maneuvered through the New York midfield and bolted down the right side of the penalty area. Watson’s rocketed cross found Hammond at the far post. Hammond’s one-touch volley at the goal was denied by the acrobatics of DeFino as the New York keeper deflected the shot wide.
The Majestics, who played two games at Washington-Lee and once at Wakefield, have two games left, both of which on the road. Northern Virginia is 2-5-5 on the season, and will finish the year against Jersey Sky Blue on July 20 at Drew University.