VCU Rams

October 10, 2008

RAMS WITHSTAND DREXEL TO CLAIM 1-0 VICTORY
Pastor’s goal in the 60th minute is enough for VCU

RICHMOND, Va.—Senior goalkeeper Kali Van Covern (Waynesboro, Va.) made five saves Friday night in the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team’s 1-0 win over Drexel, but her fourth one stood out slightly more than the first four. After Van Covern was whistled for a delay of game in 83rd minute, giving Drexel a free kick from the top of the box, Van Covern withstood a powerful shot off the leg of Drexel’s Carly Snyder. Two minutes later, Van Covern stopped Drexel’s final attempt, a 10-foot shot from Jenna Lindsay, to help seal the victory.

Van Covern earned her third shutout in the Rams’ past four matches, improving to 5-1-1. As a team, VCU is now 7-5-1 and 3-1-1 in the CAA. Drexel fell to 5-8-0 and 0-5-0 in the CAA. The Dragons have now lost six straight contests.

The Rams took the lead in the 60th minute on a goal by sophomore Laurel Pastor (Springfield, Va.), her fourth of the season. Senior Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo.) found Pastor on a corner kick, and Pastor knocked it in from 15 yards out. Pastor led a relentless VCU attack that produced 17 shots. Pastor alone cranked out nine shots, two more than the entire Drexel squad.

VCU nearly put the game away in the 80th minute with an insurance goal. Freshman Azania (Taboao da Serra, Brazil) beat the Drexel defense down the field and found Pastor at the top of the box. Drexel goalkeeper Kaitlin Bond met Pastor at the ball and altered her shot just enough to send it wide.

In a physical contest in which the clock was stopped eight times due to injury, the Rams were whistled for 15 fouls, compared to eight fouls by the Dragons. VCU sophomore Sarah McAuly (Midlothian, Va.) was injured early in the first half and will be re-evaluated next week. Another Ram, senior Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia), returned to action after missing two games due to an injury. Power started for the Rams, logging 78 minutes and recording a pair of shots.

VCU will remain at home for a Sunday battle with CAA foe Delaware. The Rams and the Fightin’ Blue Hens will meet at 1:00 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium.