CHARLOTTE, N.C.- In a back and forth contest which featured high energy and physical play, the Royals fell to the Saints of Limestone 2-1 on Thursday night at the Queens Sports Complex. It marks the first loss of the 2013 campaign for the Royals and the first win for the Saints.
 
On a beautiful night in Charlotte, both teams shared early possession which was matched with timely defending. After a failed set piece, Queens was able to weave through the Saints defense via Yannick Fischbach inside the 18. Fischbach curled a nice shot which looked on frame the entire time, but fortunately as the ball hit off the woodwork, Felipe Netto was able to cleanly place it back into the net only seven minutes after the starting whistle.
 
Queens' lead didn't last long. Only five minutes later, as the Royals were pressing higher and higher, Limestone was able to regain possession off of a Queens free kick by putting a ball up top for forward Benjamin Morande who coolly chipped keeper Simen Walmann from 35 yards out.
 
After the goal, both teams were able to get a feel for the game and posses the ball for longer periods of time.
 
Following a chance on goal from Limestone, Erick Suarez was able to gain his composure right outside the opponents 18 and attempted a beautiful curled effort on the keepers left side. A great save was made, and the fans received further confirmation that they were in for an absolute treat of a game.
 
As halftime approached, both teams were becoming increasingly physical, as a tough tackle came in on Thiago Andrade, causing the entire complex to erupt.
 
Not able to capture the crowds momentum by turning it into a goal, Queens went into the half level at one goal apiece.
 
After such an entertaining and hard fought first half, fans might have thought that the second half would have potential for a melt down. That couldn't have been farther from the truth.
 
Both teams kept even possession throughout the first 10 minutes of the half before a toe poke from Tom McCready of Limestone just went wide.
 
From that moment on, both teams were continuously trading chances. One of those chances came in the 54th minute as Suarez couldn't quite catch the ball firmly, shooting straight at the keeper.
 
The Royals, led defensively by center backs Gregorio Pestana and Jonathan Onyeaka, continued to frustrate the Saints. Along with the rest of the defense, the Royals were able to clog up available passing lanes while clearing chances out of the air.
 
Limestone got their break in the 73rd minute though, as a well worked pass was snuck through to a Limestone player. Keeper Simen Walmann was just a millisecond too late as he slid in to the defender on the edge of the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Saints.
 
Limestone's Tom McCready stepped up to the spot and finished in the center of the net, giving Limestone the 2-1 lead which they held on to for the remainder of regulation.
 
Queens will come back to Dickson Field at the Queens Sports Complex this Saturday to play the Pacers of USC-Aiken. Kick off is at 7:30 PM.