VCU Rams

October 12, 2008

PASTOR SCORES SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAME-WINNER
Rams edge Delaware 2-1 in overtime

RICHMOND, Va.—It was a weekend that Virginia Commonwealth University sophomore Laurel Pastor (Springfield, Va.) will not soon forget. After scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 VCU victory over Drexel on Friday, Pastor scored both VCU goals in the Rams’ 2-1 overtime win against Delaware on Sunday at Sports Backers Stadium.

“I’m happy,” Pastor said. “I feel really good about the weekend. I got some great balls from my teammates. Most importantly, it feels great to get a couple of wins.”

Pastor helped the Rams stake claim to an early advantage, scoring in the 18th minute from five yards out after a cross from the corner by senior Megan Flangan (Franktown, Colo.).

“I saw Flanny in the corner and she was just yelling at me to get into the box,” Pastor said. “I got there and she gave me a great ball that I was able to put in.”

The Rams maintained the lead until the 54th minute when Stacie Dulkis scored an unassisted goal from the top right corner of the box, giving the Blue Hens their first goal in 143 minutes. Delaware, which out-shot the Rams 8-5 in the second half, nearly took the lead in the 90th minute. Dana Rodgers found Caitlyn Germain streaking toward the box. Once in the box, however, Germain could not convert. Her shot went wide to the right, maintaining the tie score with 53 seconds left in regulation.

Five minutes into the overtime period, Flanagan again found Pastor, this time for the decisive goal. Flanagan launched a pass from just past the midfield line and Pastor beat the Delaware defender to the ball. Pastor then rifled a 15-yard shot past Delaware goalkeeper Breanna Stemler to end the contest.

“Flanny looked up and yelled ‘go’”, Pastor said. “I just started running, and the next thing I knew, the game was over.”

The Rams out-shot the Blue Hens, 15-13, including a 4-0 advantage in the overtime period. Delaware received eight corner kicks, compared to just three by VCU. A total of 37 fouls were called, including 19 on Delaware. VCU senior goalkeeper Kali Van Covern (Waynesboro, Va.) made four saves to pick up her sixth victory of the season.

The Rams return to action Thursday at William & Mary in a re-match of last year’s CAA semifinal pairing, which was won by the Rams on penalty kicks. Thursday’s game starts at 8:00 p.m. and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.