Reviewing the 2025 season for the Ivy and all 25,000 fans
Sporting their new “Woven Together” kits, the Richmond Ivy capped the 2025 season with a third-place finish in the USL W Chesapeake Division. In his first season at the helm, RVA soccer legend Owusu Sekyere led the squad as they accumulated 15 total points with a 4-3-3 record. In the opener of the club’s second season, Sekyere and the team, consisting of returners and newcomers, put the league on notice with a 3-0 shutout against Virginia Beach United in front of a sold-out City Stadium crowd.
At the midseason mark, the Ivy held a 2-1-2 record and geared up to face off against the New England Mutiny in a semi-final match of the revolutionary installment of the Brandi Chastain Cup, featuring four of the best women’s amateur clubs across the United States. Although the Ivy fell to New England on penalty kicks, 1-1 (4-5), it was a spectacular opportunity to shine a brighter spotlight on women’s soccer, in Richmond and beyond.
As the side approached the end of their season, the Ivy strung together two close draws against division opponents and a dominant 5-0 shutout against Virginia Atlantic FC on June 14th. With a 3-3-2 record heading into the season’s final week, the Richmond side controlled the match and earned the 1-0 victory against Virginia Beach United on Fan Appreciation night, but dropped a close match in Annapolis to close out the year.
For the second year in a row, the Richmond community showed up in droves to support the Ivy. From a 6,000 fan crowd on opening night to a 4,272 season average attendance, City Stadium was packed with green and orange all summer. Section O, occupied by the Vineguard support group, was home to just a portion of the 25,630 total fan attendance in 2025.
On the offensive end, Auburn’s Olivia Woodson led the USL W Chesapeake Division, notching five goals in her first summer with the Ivy. Following closely behind, second year forward from Youngstown State, Taylor Berry tallied 3 goals and 3 assists. Sarah Rosenbaum, Maci Landel, and Sarah Flammia each added two goals in 2025.
Defensively, Richmond finished in the top 10 in goals against across the entire USL W. The Ivy back line was led by the likes of returners Alexis Pierce from Elon University and Ava Pustover from VCU. George Mason’s Gianna Chrapek and Lipscomb’s Bekah Doolittle made their presence known as additions to the club in 2025.
Between the pipes, Virginia Tech’s Lauren Hargrove, Logan Marks from Oklahoma State, and UVA’s Camryn Miller, combined for four clean sheets on the season. Not only were they effective at keeping the ball from the back of the net, but the keepers played an important role in distributing the ball and building Richmond’s attacks from the back line.
Not to forget the unit that pieces the pitch together, the midfield was occupied by a relentless group. Headlined by UVA’s Jill Flammia and her sister Sarah, alongside JMU’s Sophie Stroud, the perfect balance of attack and defense near the center circle was key to Richmond’s success. Jill and Sarah were also joined by their youngest sister up front.
To all Richmond Ivy fans and supporters, thank you for standing by the club all season long. Your cheers, loyalty, passion, and energy made every match at City Stadium so special. We could not do this without you, and we cannot wait to create more memories together in 2026!
