After a hard fought, 90-plus minutes of play between two unbeaten sides, only one would come away with all three points—it was Lionsbridge FC.
Last year’s Chesapeake Division champions showed exactly why they’re favorites once again, launching balls into the box and looking to use their height advantage in any way possible.
Lionsbridge struck first, breaking the deadlock after 16 minutes. A long throw in from the right wing led to Emigdio Tormo Lopez leaping above players to punch the ball clear. However, the attacking threat was not gone. His clearance fell to Constantinous Christou at the top of the box, whose shot deflected off the defender and hit the crossbar. The ball came back, off the bar, and fell at the feet of Lincoln Ulrich just outside the left corner of the six-yard box. Ulrich, a junior at Coastal Carolina, calmly volleyed the ball into the top right corner, leaving Tormo Lopez with no chance.
The 18th minute saw the first yellow card of the match handed out as Rafael Machado took down Felix Ewald on the left wing, stopping the ensuing attacking. Annapolis then received a second yellow card in the 25th minute as Ricky Schissler fouled Ewald, table-topping Ewald who rose up for the header.
Annapolis’ best chance of the half came in the 32nd minute. Entering the attacking half, Machado played a pass that split the midfield line of Lionsbridge and found the feet of Ryan Belal. Belal, in tight space, utilized his quick feet and slipped a pass to Matias De Jesus as he drove towards the box. De Jesus played a square pass to Ben Madore, who took one touch to set himself up and fired a shot on goal. As Madore thought he had found the bottom left corner, and pulled the Blues level, his shot was met by Henry Hampshaw’s right hand at full stretch.
Marcelo Lopez received Lionsbridge’s first yellow card of the match as he caught Madore late in the 38th minute. Ewald quickly followed up, earning his first yellow card just one minute later after he pulled back Machado, who was looking to generate an attack.
It was a near even first 45 minutes of play, as Annapolis edged 51 percent of possession, recording four shots with two on target. Lionsbridge, on the other hand, tallied five shots with one on target, coming away with a 1-0 lead.
Playing in a 3-5-2 formation, Lionsbridge quickly adapted to a 5-3-2 for the remainder of the game, looking to see out the 1-0 lead.
Continuing the ever-present physicality of the match, Denis Krioutchenkov received the first yellow card of the second half after coming together with Matty Helfrich on the right swing, near the Blues bench, in the 54th minute. With emotions running high, Josh Baker received a yellow card just minutes later for dissent.
Evan Howard sealed the win for Lionsbridge in the 97th minute. Annapolis, in a last-minute attempt to snag a point, sent all men forward in the attack. The Lionsbridge defense was able to get a foot on the ball, breaking up Annapolis’ attack and sending a looping clearance down the other end of the pitch. Howard drove towards the box, cut back inside, beat his defender, and curled the ball into to the top left corner.
Throughout the match, the Blues were never truly able to get into the match attacking wise, as there were very few chances created for both sides, with most of the play taking place in the middle of the pitch. Annapolis will look to bounce back on Thursday, June 12th as it heads south to take on Virginia Marauders at 7:30 p.m.
