NEWPORT NEWS — A first-half red card to Evan Howard proved to be the turning point as Lionsbridge FC fell 2-1 to Virginia Beach United on Saturday night at TowneBank Stadium, suffering their first loss of the 2025 USL League Two season.
Lionsbridge dominated the opening 45 minutes and took an early lead in the 7th minute when Mike Habel headed in a back-post delivery from Constantinos Christou — his first goal for the club. The ‘Bridge outshot VBU 14-1 in the first half, but didn’t put the game out of reach. And moments before halftime, the momentum shifted sharply once Howard was sent off for a second yellow card, reducing the hosts to 10 men.
Virginia Beach took advantage in the second half. Thomas Campbell equalized in the 58th minute with a strike from outside the box, and Samuel Murphy delivered the winner in the 89th, his shot deflecting past goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw.
Despite outshooting the visitors 19-12 and controlling the first half, Lionsbridge couldn’t recover from the man disadvantage. A non-call in the 54th minute, when Ricky Louis was fouled in the box and did not recieve a penalty kick, added to a frustrating second half for the home side.
With the result, Lionsbridge drops to 8-1-3 overall and 5-1-3 in Chesapeake Division play, slipping to third place. First-place Virginia Beach improves to 7-1-2. Lionsbridge returns to action June 25 at Charlottesville Blues before hosting Christos FC on June 28.
