Northern Virginia Tops Dayton

Northern Virginia Majestics News Release - www.novafc.org

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

MANASSAS, VA – As the minutes began to wind down late in the second half of Wednesday night’s matchup between the Northern Virginia Majestics and the Dayton Dutch Lions, everyone in attendance at Hellwig Memorial Park began to sense the night was destined to end in a scoreless draw.  Such expectations quickly evaporated as the Northern Virginia offense burst through with two goals in a four minute time span to dispatch the Dutch Lions 2-0.

The first half of the game saw a very evenly matched affair between two sides eager to end the season on a positive note.  Both sides created several quality chances at goal, but neither seemed able to capitalize on their opportunities.

Late in the second half, Northern Virginia forward Lindsey Ottavio notched the game-winner to break the deadlock.  Majestic midfielder Alex Reed spotted the streaking Ottavio down the left side and fed her a crisp pass into the Dayton defensive third.  Ottavio collected the pass and raced in on the Dutch Lions goal.  As the defense swarmed, Ottavio cut left, seemingly headed out of bounds. She faked left, pulled the ball back off the endline, and then drove a low blast between the goal post and Dayton keeper Kassie Gross for the 1-0 advantage in the 73rd minute.

Four minutes later, the Majestics doubled their lead as Ashley Pfaff recorded her third goal in as many games.  Forward Sonia Basma slotted a pass down the right corner of the penalty area to the racing Pfaff.  Pfaff rocketed her shot first-time over the outstretched fingertips of Gross and into the opposite side netting to cap the 2-0 Northern Virginia victory.

The Dutch Lions outshot the Majestics 16-11 but couldn't find the breakthrough.  The win locks Northern Virginia into fourth place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Northern Virginia closes out the 2012 W-League season at home this Saturday July 14, taking on local rival Fredericksburg Impact.  Match time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Hellwig Memorial Park.