Richmond Ivy SC 3, Northern Virginia FC 1
WINCHESTER, Va. — The Ivy earned their first road win on Wednesday as they traveled to Shenandoah University to take on Northern Virginia FC. The Ivy won 3-1 behind two first-half goals and ultimately a brace from Kanna Matsuhisa who scored one goal in each half.
A little back and forth opened the match for the Ivy as they pushed deep into the NoVa half several times and, by the 16th minute, Richmond opened the scoring. Kendyl Sarver drove into the box and drilled one past the keeper to put the Ivy up 1-0. The score was Sarver’s first in her time with the Ivy after several shots on target in the inaugural season’s first three games.
The Ivy continued to push into the attacking third, maintaining a strong back line led by Lauren Hargrove in goal. Driving up from the midfield, Kanna Matsuhisa made another Ivy push in the 29th minute that earned her a trip to the penalty spot after being tripped up on the left side of the box.
Matsuhisa took her time with her approach and sent a ball up into the top right corner to double the Ivy lead one minute later.
The Ivy would close out the half still up 2-0, and, in the first few seconds of the restart, Matsuhisa would intercept a Northern Virginia pass and dribble up the left side to send the ball into the back of the net to bring the scoreline to 3-0.
In the 52nd minute, NoVa FC earned a corner but Hargrove quickly snagged the inswinger out of the air and ended the push.
Northern Virginia broke through the Ivy backline once in the 71st minute but the Ivy ultimately kept them away from the net through the rest of the match. The Ivy, however, continued to knock on the door through til the end, never letting up pressure.
The Ivy return to the pitch on Saturday, June 1 to host Christos FC at City Stadium, during which the Ivy will host their Pride Party. The match will kick off at 2 p.m. as a part of a wider RVA Soccer Day. Once the match is over, fans will be invited to join us at Three Notch’d for a USWNT watch party at 5 p.m. and a Kickers watch party at 7 p.m.