Virginia Beach United’s Alex Moody scored in the 88th minute, earning a 2-2 draw Saturday night against Lionsbridge FC in the season opener for both teams at Virginia Beach Sportsplex. The Newport News-based Lions, who have won USL League Two’s Chesapeake Division three years running and were the national runners-up in 2023, nevertheless extended their unbeaten streak in the 757 rivalry to 14 matches. Seven players made their first appearances for the Lions. VBU, coming off its first playoff appearance, went ahead in the 14th minute on Old Dominion player Micah Wayland’s goal. Georgia Southern’s Ricky Louis tied the score for the Lions in the 25th minute off a Denis Krioutchenkov, and Lionsbridge went ahead 2-1 on German native Felix Ewald’s goal. The goal by Moody — a Churchland High graduate who was a fourth-team Division III All-American last season for Virginia Wesleyan — near the end of regulation set off a wild celebration. The rematch June 21 at Christopher Newport’s TowneBank Stadium will determine the winner of the Coastal Virginia Challenge Cup, which Lionsbridge — 11-1-4 all-time against VBU — has never lost.
The Lions’ home opener is Wednesday night against Richmond-area Grove United in a non-division match. Virginia Beach City FC 3, Alexandria Rough Diamonds 2: Virginia Beach City FC began its NPSL season with a victory at Catholic University in Washington. VBCFC moved ahead 3-1 on goals by Ian Williams in the 12th minute and Ryan Mahon in the 13th and 29th. Abdul Kabbany brought the hosts to 3-2 in the 68th minute, but VBCFC held on. Richmond Ivy 3, Virginia Beach United 0: Virginia Beach United’s expansion W League team played its inaugural match, losing in Richmond before a sellout crowd of about 6,000 at City Stadium. The Ivy and VBU are two of the Chesapeake Division’s five teams, joining Charlottesville Blues FC, Annapolis Blues FC and Virginia Atlantic FC. Virginia Atlantic, under the Virginia Beach City FC banner, will play its home games at Powhatan Field in Norfolk. The Ivy’s Sunniyah Tucker scored in the 21st minute, Olivia Woodson in the 47th and Taylor Berry in the 60th. Robbi Curry was VBU’s starting goalkeeper. The VBU women, coached by Jeremey Bernard, will play their home opener at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sportsplex against Virginia Atlantic, which will be debuting that night.
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The Lions’ home opener is Wednesday night against Richmond-area Grove United in a non-division match. Virginia Beach City FC 3, Alexandria Rough Diamonds 2: Virginia Beach City FC began its NPSL season with a victory at Catholic University in Washington. VBCFC moved ahead 3-1 on goals by Ian Williams in the 12th minute and Ryan Mahon in the 13th and 29th. Abdul Kabbany brought the hosts to 3-2 in the 68th minute, but VBCFC held on. Richmond Ivy 3, Virginia Beach United 0: Virginia Beach United’s expansion W League team played its inaugural match, losing in Richmond before a sellout crowd of about 6,000 at City Stadium. The Ivy and VBU are two of the Chesapeake Division’s five teams, joining Charlottesville Blues FC, Annapolis Blues FC and Virginia Atlantic FC. Virginia Atlantic, under the Virginia Beach City FC banner, will play its home games at Powhatan Field in Norfolk. The Ivy’s Sunniyah Tucker scored in the 21st minute, Olivia Woodson in the 47th and Taylor Berry in the 60th. Robbi Curry was VBU’s starting goalkeeper. The VBU women, coached by Jeremey Bernard, will play their home opener at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sportsplex against Virginia Atlantic, which will be debuting that night.
