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Silver Spring, MD – The Monarchs let another win slip away again at home Thursday night, falling to Harrisburg City in a 1-0 loss. From start to end both teams had their chances to pull away, but only Harrisburg City was able to pull through. The result keeps Real Maryland (3-5-5) in fourth place while Harrisburg City (3-6-4) remains one point behind the Monarchs.

Coming off of two losses against formidable opponents, including their loss the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Monarchs were looking to bounce back and get their second win at home. Real Maryland FC started the game with energy, overcoming early pressure from the Harrisburg City attack after defender Gareth Evans received a yellow card in the 2nd minute.

In the 8th minute, the Monarchs started to develop their attack, with defender Kenneth Sola getting the first shot of the night which sailed just right of the goal.

Play continued back and forth the majority of the first half, with both teams putting pressure on the other’s defense. Harrisburg City saw shots come from midfielders Jason Hotchkin and JT Noone in a 7 minute span, but both shots sailed to the left of the goal. After a foul that gave the Monarchs a penalty kick 18 yards from the Harrisburg City goal, forward Jyler Noviello managed to get a shot off into the lower left hand corner just as the first half was coming to an end.

The second half started with a defensive breakdown for the Monarchs. In the 48th minute Harrisburg City forward Geoff Bloes snuck behind the Monarchs’ defense and sent a shot into the lower left-hand corner of the net, which was ultimately the winning goal.

After Goalkeeper Brian Levey stopped a shot by Harrisburg City midfield Kai Kasiguran in the 54th minute, Real Maryland restarted their pressure on the Harrisburg City defense. In the 58th minute, Noviello received a cross from the right side, but his header sailed to the left of the goal.

In perhaps their best opportunity of the night, Noviello challenged Harrisburg City goalkeeper Daniel Cepero on a soaring ball, and as the ball fell between them, Noviello had an open shot on net, but sent his bicycle kick just over the cross bar. Five minutes later, in the 64th minute, midfielder Benjamin Hunter sent a shot from 15 yards out, but the Harrisburg City goalkeepers extended just far enough to send the ball over the crossbar.

Real Maryland managed a series of counterattacks in the 71st and 77th minutes, but were called offside as the attacks developed. Midfielder Nicki Paterson did get a shot off in the 82nd minute, but it was easily saved by the keeper.

Levey made a fantastic save on a shot that was sailing to the upper right corner to keep the Monarchs alive in the 88th minute. However, despite their efforts, the Monarchs could not put the ball into the back of the net.

Real Maryland and Harrisburg City face off each against each other again on July 10th in Harrisburg, with both teams looking to gain ground in the standings. Real Maryland will then travel to Charleston to face off against the Battery on July 16th. Harrisburg City will travel to Pittsburgh on July 17th.

For more information on Real Maryland FC or its Future Monarch Programs, please visit www.realmaryland.us.