ODENTON, Md. — Richmond Ivy (5-4-1, 16 pts) earned a comeback draw at Christos FC (5-3-2), 1-1, on the road in their final away match of the inaugural season.
Kanna Matsuhisa broke through the line off a build from Ava Pustover in the 50th minute. She sent the ball up in the air, won it as she moved through the line and then slotted it outside the reach of the ever-present Christos keeper to equalize for the Ivy and help the squad to earn a point on the road.
The Ivy came out swinging in the first half and knocked almost instantly. Kenley Campbell forced a corner up the left side in the third minute and Matsuhisa sent a beautiful ball in but the Christos keeper ultimately punched it away.
In the tenth, another Ivy corner from Matsuhisa found the feet of several Ivy players but the Christos keeper snuck in the way again and allowed Christos to clear.
After another ten minutes, Christos would counter. Lauren Hargrove stepped up to make a beautiful save on the cross, but five minutes later, they would sneak one through to go up one.
Through the half, the Ivy would control the match but Christos would make two more pushes. Hargrove answered both in the 27th and 35th, pulling the ball out of the air on a corner and a cross to keep the Baltimore side from extending the lead.
On the attack, the Ivy peppered the Christos keeper but just couldn’t break through. In the 29th, Taylor Berry managed a stellar strike that fell just wide of the goal. Closing the half, Matsuhisa took a free kick in the 43rd that the Christos keeper met quickly and in the 44th Kenley Campbell took a strike from the top of the box but the ball skimmed just barely over the top of the net.
The Ivy wouldn’t let up on the Christos keeper and pressed further on the gas to start the second half. In the 46th, another Ivy free kick was sent on target but the keeper rushed out to meet it. Four minutes later though, Matsuhisa would break through to tie it up.
In the 56th, Christos would try to answer on a breakaway and earned a free kick from just outside the 18 but upon the strike, Hargrove came out to meet it and shut them down.
The Ivy would push again and again through the next 30 minutes, allowing little on the counter. They forced several corners just after the 70th minute but were prevented from finding the back of the net. Matsuhisa would break through the line once again in the 82nd but the Christos keeper met her early and cut off the shot.
Only two more pushes from Christos would come. In the 85th minute, they ripped one shot early, right to Keely Thomas who replaced Hargrove in the 84th minute. She handled the immediate pressure confidently and redistributed the ball.
In extra time, Christos would knock one more time shooting from the top left of the box but Thomas would get up high on the save, knocking it well out of play and then orchestrating the clearance on the ensuing corner.
The Ivy would hold strong through the end of the match and come away with a point to close out the night.
The Ivy return home to City Stadium to Eagle FC on Friday, June 21 when the team will host a Summer Solstice Party. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:00 p.m. Get your tickets now at richmondivy.com/tickets.
