November 3, 2008

GIOELI NAMED CAA CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior tallies career-high in last game for VCU

RICHMOND, Va. – Knowing that the game might be the last time she dons a Virginia Commonwealth University uniform, senior Francesca Gioeli (New York, N.Y.) of the women’s soccer team made sure to leave it all on the field. The veteran tallied a career-best three points, including the game-winner as the Rams defeated James Madison University last Thursday night, 2-1, in overtime.

Her clutch performance against the Dukes helped Gioeli earn Colonial Athletic Association Co-Player of the Week honors, the first such honor of her outstanding four-year career.

Although the Black and Gold were not able to capture a CAA Tournament berth due to Northeastern’s 2-1 overtime win at Hofstra, VCU was able to record its first win in Harrisonburg since 2002.

James Madison took an early 1-0 advantage, but Gioeli and the Rams stormed back after halftime when she found a cutting Laurel Pastor (Springfield, Va.) who blasted her ninth goal of the season into the back of the net to tie the game in the 53rd minute.

The Dukes controlled the tempo of play for much of the first overtime, but with 2:22 remaining in the second overtime Gioeli gathered a pass from fellow senior Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo.) and poked home the game-winner.

For the season, Gioeli tallied a career-best two goals and two assists for a total of six points.

During her stellar four-year career at VCU, she recorded five goals and two assists while playing in 66 games.