NEWPORT NEWS — Lionsbridge FC exploded for nine goals in its final friendly of the 2025 season, dismantling Virginia Beach City, 9-1, on Wednesday night at TowneBank Stadium.
In the first-ever meeting between the two Hampton Roads sides, it was all Lionsbridge from the outset. Ricky Louis recorded a first-half hat trick — the fourth different Lionsbridge player to do so this season — as the hosts built a commanding 5-0 lead before the break and never looked back.
The win moves Lionsbridge FC to 12-2-3 overall heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale at home against Patuxent FA at 7 p.m. Lionsbridge can clinch the USL League Two playoffs for fifth consecutive season with a win combined with a Virginia Beach loss at first-place Northern Virginia, which starts 30 minutes after the Lionsbridge-Patuxent game.
Wednesday’s friendly featured a host of debuts and milestones for the home side. Newport News native Ethan Chenoweth made his first career start in goal, while local products Treavan Haywood, Nathan Lee, and Christian Robertson all made their Lionsbridge debuts. Robertson capped the night with his first LBFC goal in the 80th minute, poking home a loose ball after a corner kick scramble.
Taig Healy opened the scoring in the 9th minute on his LBFC debut after joining the club this week from Seacoast United. Gabriel Rodriguez doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after being fouled in the box.
Louis dazzled with goals in the 28th, 41st, and 45th minutes — the last of which came from the spot after he drew the penalty himself — to give the Bridge a 5-0 advantage at halftime.
In the second half, Lincoln Ulrich added a highlight-reel scissor kick goal in the 67th, and Isaiah Chisolm slotted home a 72nd-minute strike on an assist from Haywood. After Robertson’s tally, VB City broke the shutout in the 82nd minute with a goal from Jon LaFaurve, but Matheus Ulrich capped the scoring in the 90th with a curling free kick from just outside the box.
Lionsbridge FC returns to TowneBank Stadium on Saturday night with everything on the line. Kickoff against Patuxent FA is set for 7 p.m.