September 14, 2008

POWER’S FIVE POINTS LEAD VCU TO 3-2 WIN OVER BUCKNELL
Rams score in the 85th minute to win second straight contest

RICHMOND, Va.—The scoring output has been jolted into high gear for the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team. With an increased volume of goals has come an increased number of wins. Senior Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) paced the VCU scoring attack with two goals and an assist in the Rams’ 3-2 win over Bucknell on Sunday at SportsBackers Stadium. The victory gives VCU a two-game winning streak and improves the Rams’ season mark to 2-4. Bucknell drops to 3-3-1.

Power opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a shot from the top of the box after a feed by junior June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.). Twelve minutes into the second half, Power struck again, this time after a cross by freshman Molly Allen (Halifax, Nova Scotia).

Bucknell regrouped in the 69th minute with a goal of its own. Christa Matlack beat senior goalkeeper Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va.) and planted the ball into the right side of the net from 15 yards out. Bucknell kept the pressure on the Rams, tying the game 15 minutes later. Caitlin Holtz blasted a free kick from 10 yards outside of the box, and Brooke Stokes tapped it in from short-range.

It only took the Rams 21 seconds to answer, though. Power took a pass from Hartman and launched a shot from 15 yards out. Sophomore Laurel Pastor (Springfield, Va.) tapped it with her head to score the decisive goal.

“Our heads went down for a couple seconds after they scored their second goal, but we got right back up and started attacking again,” Power said. “We can’t ever get our heads down. We have to maintain our fight. We didn’t want to lose this one. We controlled things the whole way and didn’t want to let this one slip away.”

The Rams limited Bucknell to just one shot in the first half, but the Bison responded with 12 shots in the second half. Bucknell entered the match with 14 goals in six contests. After scoring one goal in its first four matches, VCU has now scored six goals in its last two outings. The Rams cranked six shots in the first half and eight in the second half. Hardison picked up her second win of the season. She made five saves, all in the second half.

“I thought we played well for the most part today,” said co-head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak. “We’re still giving up too many soft goals, though. We have to work on that, but I’m really proud of the way we fought back today.”

The Rams will remain at home on Friday for a home contest against Wofford. The match begins at 6:00 p.m.