Northern Virginia Royals News Release -- www.novafc.org
Monday, July 18, 2011
MANASSAS, Va. – After falling 1-0 the night before to the Chaos, the Northern Virginia Royals finally managed to break the tough West Virginia defense to earn a 1-1 draw Sunday evening at Hellwig Memorial Park. Royal forward AJ Sheta blasted home the tying goal late in the second half to grab the single point and keep the Royals in control of their playoff destiny.
As they had the previous night, West Virginia scored midway through the first half on a play that developed down the right side. Speedy Chaos forward Dion Peters drove a cross through for teammate Jamie Davies to provide a nifty finish into the Northern Virginia goal for the 1-0 advantage in the 38th minute.
Protests quickly arose from the Northern Virginia bench concerning a difference of opinion with the assistant referees about Davies’ offside position on the play which led to the ejection of head coach Richie Burke.
Despite the loss of their head coach and the goal deficit, the Royals regrouped after the break focused on the equalizer and subsequent playoff implications. Northern Virginia showed a unified offensive attack, energized and focused on getting through the sturdy Chaos defense.
The home side would finally be rewarded for their efforts in the 78th minute when midfielder Steven Duran fed Royal Kingsley Onwuka down the right side on a quick throw-in. Onwuka sent a crisp pass across the top of the box to Northern Virginia forward Sheta, who faked right and cut left to gain a narrow lane at the Chaos goal. Sheta’s shot from range left the West Virginia keeper groping thin air as the ball rocketed into the top left corner for the equalizer.
The draw places Northern Virginia back at the top of the divisional standings, however the second-placed Carolina Dynamo have a game in hand. More importantly, the draw keeps the Royals three points ahead of the Chaos heading into the final weekend. A Northern Virginia win or tie in their final match will send them through to the playoffs.
Northern Virginia travel next weekend for their season finale Saturday night against the Virginia Beach Piranhas. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.