On a day that saw everything from heavy rain to clear skies, it ended up being a dreary result for Blues fans.
Coming into Naptown with a vengeance, Virginia Beach’s only loss of the season came to Annapolis in the reverse fixture earlier this June. This time they would defeat the Blues 2-0.
Virginia Beach generated the first promising chance of the evening when Thomas Campbell received the ball on the left wing, 40 yards out from goal. As he dribbled his way in between defenders, he unleashed a shot from roughly 35 yards out on the left-center of the pitch. Campbell’s attempt was met by a strong two handed save at mid-height from Emigdio Tormo Lopez as he dove to his right.
Ian Webb-Johnson received the first yellow card of the half in the 19th minute for a foul in the middle of the field on Juan Valiente as he looked to start a Virginia Beach attack.
Once again, Annapolis conceded the opening goal. A Virginia Beach attack was initially cut out by Tyler Gabarra. The former NC State player stumbled to the ground and, as he attempted to reset the play, passed the ball to Webb-Johnson. Webb-Johnson was caught off guard and attempted to play a first time pass up the pitch that was intercepted by Valiente. He took one touch and then split the Blues center backs with a bouncing througball to Campbell, whose slight toe poke rolled the ball into the back of the net, beating Tormo Lopez as he scrambled back, trying to make a save.
Jack Lewis was awarded a card on the brink of halftime following a similar foul to Webb-Johnson’s, giving each side one yellow through 45 minutes. Virginia Beach held the slight edge in possession (52 percent) and outnumbered the Blues by eight shots to three.
Immediately out of the gate, Annapolis was handed a lifeline in the 46th minute. Matthew Lenert, just inside the box on the left wing, looked to play in a cross. However, his ball was met by the hand of right back Joshua Nevins, who felt that his hand was in a natural position. Regardless, the referee had made the call. Lenert stepped up to the spot and fired an absolute laser that beat Griffin Potter, but not the crossbar, as it shook the goalframe and bounced back into play.
Rafael Machado received a yellow card in the 52nd minute after making a two footed challenge on Micah Wayland. With tempers flaring, Wayland then fouled Lenert and kicked the ball away just one minute later, garnering himself a yellow card as well.
The fate of the night would be sealed in the 86th minute as Campbell Stalker scored one of the easiest goals in his career. A cross came in from the Virginia Beach left winger and took a deflection off Webb-Johnson’s heel, rising into the air. Machado was then caught in two minds, attempt to settle the ball and clear it, or leave it for Tormo Lopez to come collect. The lapse in communication saw Machado attempt to leave the ball, however, it bounced off his shins and past Tormo Lopez. Stalker then simply tapped the ball across the goal line and into the back of the net.
In the 87th minute, Jack Lewis received a second yellow and was sent off after delivering an elbow to the face of Michael Johnson as the two were running in tandem, competing for a 50/50 ball.
Following the 2-0 defeat, Annapolis will hit the road and look to bounce back this weekend, facing off against Patuxent Football Athletics on June 21st at 7:30 p.m.
