VBU Struggles Against Lionsbridge FC Continue in 1-0 Loss
By Nicholas King — May 12, 2024
Predator and prey: a timeless relationship woven into the fabric of nature itself. Similar to the means that the shark crushes the tuna, or the serpent engulfs the rat, USL2 juggernaut Lionsbridge FC overpowered Virginia Beach United Saturday night in a 1-0 win. VBU now falls to 1-8-2 all-time against the reigning USL2 national runner-up, with the last four matches ending in shutout losses.
The two squads opened the game up fiercely. A robust physical encounter in the opening minute prompted a whistle, resulting in a Lionsbridge free kick from twenty yards outside the box. The football club failed to capitalize, yet maintained possession on the VB side of the field for most of the first half. Nonetheless, head coach Chris Mills’s defense proved resilient, adopting a bend–but-not-break mentality. Goalkeeper Griffin Potter headlined the defensive guard, denying several Lionsbridge shots and keeping the scoreline level at half.
United’s offense was sparked to life out of the break, controlling possession for the majority of the second frame. In the seventy-third minute, midfielder Alex Moody had a clear look from eight yards out that soared over the net to keep the score even at zero. Just four minutes later, Lionsbridge seized its opportunity to break the deadlock. Forward Claudel N’goubou redirected a header off a Lionsbridge free kick to fellow forward and Davidson star Denis Krioutchenkov to give the football club a 1-0 advantage. Virginia Beach United had one more open look at the net in the eighty-second minute that ricocheted off the foot of reserve forward Key White to the right of the twine. Although the officials granted both teams a generous ten minutes of extra time, VBU’s offense was smothered to end the contest, leading to a 1-0 finish in favor of Lionsbridge.
The formidable football club has now amassed a staggering 17-1 lead over United in their last nine encounters, highlighting Lionsbridge's dominance in the Chesapeake Division over Virginia Beach. Despite the challenging statistics, the atmosphere in United's locker room post-match was surprisingly positive. Many players expressed satisfaction with their individual performances and collective effort. Considering the limited practice time and chemistry among some players, morale remained high within the Virginia Beach team. Maintaining this positive energy is crucial as Virginia Beach gears up for a swift turnaround, facing Northern Virginia FC on Wednesday at 7 pm.