NEWPORT NEWS — Christian Hatley and Sam Hall scored first-half goals and goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw came up with a crucial save just before halftime as Lionsbridge FC edged Northern Virginia FC 2-1 in the USL League Two Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday night at TowneBank Stadium.
With the win, Lionsbridge (16-2-2 overall, 12-2-3 USL) advanced to the Eastern Conference Final, where they will face Vermont Green on Friday, July 25 at Virtue Field in Burlington, Vermont.
Hatley opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, volleying home a deflected cross from Taig Healy that was mishandled by the goalkeeper. Hall doubled the lead in the 36th minute, heading in a long throw-in from Lincoln Ulrich to make it 2-0.
Northern Virginia nearly pulled one back just before halftime, but Hampshaw made a critical stop in the 45th minute on a redirected cross to preserve the two-goal advantage heading into the break.
Northern Virginia did break through in the 66th minute when Matthew Dean set up Jean-Philippe Aylombong for a strike from outside the box that cut the deficit to 2-1.
Lionsbridge outshot Northern Virginia 16-5 and extended their unbeaten streak to five matches, allowing only three goals in that span. A chippy match saw five yellow cards issued and a red card shown to a Northern Virginia coach on the sideline.
Lionsbridge is now two wins away from returning to the USL League Two National Championship game for the second time in three years.
