September 26, 2008

RAMS OPEN CONFERENCE PLAY THIS WEEKEND
VCU will host Towson on Friday and travel to George Mason on Sunday

RICHMOND, Va.—The season technically started in August for the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team. The real season starts this weekend for the Rams, as VCU opens CAA play with a pair of conference matches.

The Rams (4-4) enter conference play riding a four-game winning streak. VCU has outscored its opponents 14-4 during that span. Leading the way has been a pair of seniors. Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) leads the team in points (15) and assists (seven). She shares the team-lead in goals (four) with fellow-senior Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo.). Flanagan, who has 11 points this season, has scored eight points in the Rams’ past two games. Senior goalkeeper Kali Van Covern (Waynesboro, Va.) has recorded back-to-back wins in her only two college starts.

The Rams’ suddenly potent offense will commence conference play against a Towson squad that has recently struggled to produce goals. The Tigers (3-5) have scored just four goals this season, including a current scoreless streak of 270 minutes. VCU knocked off the Tigers, 2-1, in Towson last season. The Rams and Tigers will square off at 7:00 p.m. Friday at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond.

VCU will hit the road on Sunday for a 3:00 p.m. pairing with George Mason. The Rams and Patriots battled to a 1-1 draw last season in Richmond. Mason (3-5) has been led by Kelly Keelan, who has recorded a pair of shutouts in goal and has notched five goals as a forward.

The Rams are seeking to recapture the midseason form that catapulted them into the CAA Tournament and in contention for a conference crown. VCU finished last season fourth in the conference and advanced to the title game of the CAA Tournament for the third time in four years.