Destiny Notch First Win

Following a difficult opening half of the season, the Richmond Kickers Destiny recorded their first win Thursday, June 25, against the Northern Virginia Majestics. The victory came at a time when many teams would have thrown in the towel, but the Destiny showed remarkable strength of will to deliver an inspired all-around performance.

The Destiny came out strong in the first half, nearly scoring on multiple occasions. Becca Wann was particularly effective in front of goal in the first half. The striker from Cosby High School latched onto a cross early in the game, but her header missed just wide. Wann had the ball in the back of the net on 18 minutes after beating the Majestics keeper to a well-placed long ball from Kimmy Cummings. However, Wann was adjudged to have used her hand rather than her head and the goal was called back. Wann was shown a yellow card for her troubles.

The Destiny kept up the offensive pressure throughout the game, but the team’s defensive effort was also strong, leading to their first clean sheet of the season. Allie Albright was in inspired form between the posts for the Destiny, recording five saves on the night, including a stop on a second half Majestics breakaway.

The defensive pressure continued throughout the second half, with the Destiny forcing the Majestics into numerous turnovers. Their efforts paid off in the 70th minute when left back Sarah Hilt stripped possession from the Majestics and looked up field to find second-half substitute Colleen Schohl with a diagonal ball. Schohl settled the ball and beat a defender before firing a left-footed strike toward the Majestics goal. Majestics keeper Olivia Brown got her hands on it, but could not do enough to keep the ball out of the net.

The Majestics turned up the pressure after Schohl’s tally, but the Destiny met the challenge admirably, with Albright rising highest to claim a long ball played into a box full of Majestics players eager to tie the game. The Destiny (1-7-1, 4 pts.) moved out of last place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference with the win. The team will look to add to their points tally on the road against Tampa Bay Hellenic on Friday, July 3 before the return fixture at the University of Richmond Stadium on July 11.