Facing one of the few USL League Two environments more electric than Newport News’, Lionsbridge FC saw its playoff hopes end Friday night.
Vermont Green FC, supported by a roaring record crowd of 2,700 in the stadium and many more on the hill at Virtue Field in Burlington, defeated the Lions 3-1 in extra time for the Eastern Conference championship.
It was Lionsbridge’s third consecutive year reaching the national quarterfinals. It was the runner-up in 2023 but lost at home to eventual champion Seacoast United last season. It was Vermont Green’s first appearance in the East final.
Alex Howard’s header goal off Andrew Bennett’s drive from just outside the 18-yard box gave Lionsbridge the lead in the 40th minute, but Vermont Green — which also came from behind to win its last two playoff matches — was undeterred. The Green’s Ian Abbey volleyed in a long pass from the right wing to tie the score in the 44th minute. Smoke rose in the stands as the green-clad supporters elevated the decibel level.
Vermont controlled much of the second half, but some difficult, acrobatic saves by Lions goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw preserved the tie through 90 minutes, setting up two 15-minute periods of extra time.
The Green went ahead on a goal by Arnaud Tattevin in the 104th minute, late in the first extra-time period, then virtually clinched the victory when Owen O’Malley scored in the 116th minute for a 3-1 edge.
Vermont Green advanced to a national semifinal at 6:30 p.m. Sunday against Dothan United, an Alabama club that beat Fort Lauderdale United 2-1 in Friday’s earlier clash at Virtue Field — also the home stadium for last season’s surprising NCAA Division I champions, the Vermont Catamounts, who recently were featured on ESPN SportsCenter’s “50 States in 50 Days” promotion.
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