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ROCKVILLE, Maryland – Real Maryland FC fought hard for ninety minutes, but were unable to come away with a point against a feisty Northern Virginia side, who got a lone second half goal from midfielder Caleb Konstanski to head home with a 1-0 victory. It was a back and forth affair with few quality scoring chances thanks to quality defensive play from both sides. The result moves the Monarchs to third place in the South Atlantic Division.

Real Maryland, who was coming off of a long trip to Carolina the previous day that led the Monarchs to a 2-1 victory, found themselves holding tight at the start of the match. Both teams were able to get forward in attack, but the defenses of each squad were stout and kept their opponent from earning quality scoring chances. With the end of the first half nearing, a bit of good fortune nearly gave Real Maryland the lead. A shot from just outside the box by Monarch midfielder Julio Arjona took a deflection off of Karou Forbess and looked to be goalbound, but Royals goalkeeper Calle Brown was able to stretch just enough to tip the deflection wide.

The second half started much like the first with neither team able to open up the opposing defenses. In the 58th minute the Monarchs got the first quality scoring chance of the game when midfield Thomas Zimmerman laid a pass off to defender Alex Lee who was making a blistering run into the box and took a fierce one time shot that was blasted just high and wide. Then, just minutes later, the Monarchs were in on goal again when a header from Real Maryland forward Ndaw Aboubacarim led Karou Forbess into the box, but once more the shot went just wide, this time thanks to a late challenge from Royal defender Ronald Shaban who was able to unbalance Forbess just enough for his shot to miss the target.

The Royals quickly counterattacked and played a ball deep into the Monarch area, where A.J. Sheta was able to dispossess Real Maryland defender Alex Lee and play a cross to Royal midfielder Caleb Konstanski. Konstanski was able to control the ball with his chest and blast a shot into the bottom corner of the net to finally break the deadlock. The goal opened the game up a bit, and in the 80th minute the Monarchs nearly leveled the match when a cross from Monarch midfield Julio Arjona found the head of a diving Alex Lee. However, once again the attempt wasn’t on frame and went just wide.

The Royals nearly doubled their lead in the 83rd minute, but heroics from Monarchs goalkeeper Will Swaim kept Real Maryland within striking distance. A loose ball in the Monarchs box found its way to Royals defender Sean O’Reilly who took a hard shot from just ten yards out, but Swaim was able to make an outstanding save on the ball. O’Reilly had a chance on a rebound shot but Swaim was again up to the task, scrambling to extend just enough to once again keep the ball out of his net. The Monarchs continued to press for an equalizer as the match came to a close, but were unable to find the pass to unlock the Royals defense and suffered their third straight loss to Northern Virginia.

The Monarchs return to action at home, Sunday, July 10, when they welcome Fredericksburg Hotspur to Roy Lester Stadium on the campus of Richard Montgomery High School. That will follow their next match which is on the road, Saturday, July 9, against the West Virginia Chaos.