The Annapolis Blues won the Mid-Atlantic Division of the National Premier Soccer League each of the past two years and joined the United Soccer League Division Two for 2025. Initially, it looked as if Annapolis’ domination would continue in a more competitive environment.
The Blues began 3-0 with just two goals allowed. But Lionsbridge shut out Annapolis in its fourth game, leading to a 4-6-1 finish and fourth place in the Chesapeake Division after their impressive start.
The club’s third-year campaign ended with a 3-3 draw against Charlottesville FC (5-4-5) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. The Blues (7-6-1) — who endured offensive struggles at times, including just one goal during a three-game home stretch in the middle of June — nearly lost via controversy after a sluggish second half.
Center back Ian Webb-Johnson was tripped with the ball on his own side of the pitch, leading to an easy score for Charlotte midfielder Luca Estabio in extra time. A few minutes later, midfielder Luke Dunne looped a pass to Webb-Johnson, who again tangled legs. Dunne drilled a game-tying penalty kick into the top corner of the net, inciting a raucous reaction from an announced crowd of 9,126.
“I didn’t want the penalty … it’s a make-up call because of what happened on the other end of the field,” Blues coach Colin Herriot said. “But … you could hear the atmosphere tonight, it tells you how much these fans think of these kids and how much these kids think of this club. So it might be one of my proudest nights since I’ve been here.”
The attendance total marked Annapolis’ second-highest this season behind a home opener that brought in 12,853 spectators, which set a league record. The Blues averaged nearly 9,000 fans per game in 2025, a slight uptick from last year’s numbers.
Annapolis’ fans already endured a contentious defeat against Northern Virginia last month in a low-scoring game sealed by a penalty kick in the 87th minute. But against Charlottesville FC, the Blues overcame their total from that match with a pair of first-half goals — one from a veteran and another via a newcomer.
In the first minute, defender Matty Helfrich passed up the sideline to back Emmett Kershner, who pushed the net and looped a shot over goalkeeper Tyler Beck for the first goal of his campaign. Striker Brady Geho was tripped in the box while going for a cross in the 34th minute, leading to a penalty kick.
The St. John’s University player drilled a strike low toward the corner for his fourth goal in his past four games. The goal was Geho’s ninth of the season and gave him Annapolis’ all-time record.
“It’s unbelievable,” Geho said. “I wouldn’t want to break any other record.”
Geho evened the match after Blues goalkeeper Owen Allegro allowed two goals within three minutes early in the opening half. Charlotte midfielder Sam Roberson began the run with a shot off a deflection before midfielder Graham Dougald looped a ball over the top of Allegro when he dashed out of the cage.
Allegro and high schooler Zach Cielewich both made starts over the past week, in which Annapolis played four games, after primary goalkeeper Emigdio Tormo Lopez reported back to UMBC. The Blues boasted a roster of 36 players, among the largest in the league, giving Herriot several lineup options.
But Herriot’s packed team faced newfound challenges this year outside of superior competition. The coach and Geho both cited extra travel as one of the major differences.
Still, Herriot said that he enjoyed this season the most of any as Annapolis’ coach, despite it being the first without a playoff berth. The Blues continued their ascension as one of the nation’s fastest developing semipro teams, though Herriot’s on-field expectations are only growing.
“I think if it was any other team in the league that had seven or eight wins, they would be delighted with that,” Herriot said. “We’re probably the victims of our own success, we want more. So in the offseason, we’ll be working really hard to make sure improvements are made.”
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