VBU Goes for 3 in a Row Wednesday vs Patuxent Football Athletics

By Nicholas King — May 22, 2024

As the summer heat approaches the southeastern United States, it is hard to say what is hotter: the weather or Virginia Beach United. VBU has won its last two outings in convincing shutout fashion, earning a second-place spot in the USL2 Chesapeake Division. Its next opponent is Patuxent Football Athletics, a team United has historically dominated. In six head-to-head matchups, Virginia Beach holds a 5-1 record. However, this game holds extra significance. A victory would allow Virginia Beach to tie their franchise win streak record at three, a mark set last June. 

How will it happen? Well, the game will be decided within the six-yard box. United’s steadfast goalkeeper, Griffin Potter, has only allowed one goal this season through three matches, keeping opposing offenses at bay. On the other side, Patuxent is likely to start Venezuelan netminder Jesus Rondón. The Tabor College product conceded two goals in a 2-1 loss to NOVA FC on Saturday – a club United shut out last week 1-0. At the collegiate level, Rondon had a commendable 1.79 goals-against average last season on his way to All-Confrerence honors. Comparatively, Potter allowed 1.19 goals on average in his final collegiate season in 2022. 

Rondón might have the taller task, however. Virginia Beach boasts a strong collection of nine returning players and a roster that features seven NCAA Division I athletes. In contrast, Potter will be up against an offense with seven returners and three NCAA Division I players from the 2023 season. Among those seven veterans, only two were regular starters last season.

But alas, prior performances and collegiate-level statistics will be thrown out the window when both teams settle their differences on Wednesday at 7 pm.