September 26, 2008

RAMS BATTLE TO 1-1 DRAW WITH TOWSON
VCU maintains five-game unbeaten streak

RICHMOND, Va.—For the third time in four years, the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team was forced to play overtime against Towson. For the second time in that span, the two squads finished in a 1-1 draw. After battling the Tigers for 110 minutes in heavy rains, the Rams (4-4-1, 0-0-1) must now regroup for a Sunday match-up against CAA rival George Mason in Fairfax. Towson (3-5-1, 0-0-1) will travel to James Madison on Sunday.

The Rams found themselves in a late hole after Towson junior Erica Marshall scored off a rebound in the 74th minute. The Rams answered three minutes later with a goal by senior Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). Fellow-senior Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo.) delivered the ball just in front of the goal on a corner kick. After Samara Stephen-Dowd (Vienna, Va.) deflected it, Power put it in the net for her fifth goal of the season. Power now has a team-leading 17 points.

VCU had a pair of scoring chances late in regulation. Flanagan headed a pass near June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.) in the box, but Towson goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak leapt up to intercept it in the 85th minute. Two minutes later, Flanagan found Power just outside the box, but Power’s shot went wide.

After a scoreless overtime period, both teams garnered scoring opportunities early in the second overtime. A minute into the period, Hartman launched a shot that was stopped by Papciak. One minute later, Marshall uncorked a 15-yard shot that went high. Towson got another scoring opportunity two minutes later, but senior goalkeeper Kali Van Covern (Waynesboro, Va.) turned away Christa DeBole’s shot attempt. Van Covern made three saves to remain undefeated.

The Rams out-shot the Tigers, 18-14, and held a 10-1 advantage on corner kicks. Of the Rams’ 18 shots, 15 came after halftime, including 10 in the second half of regulation.

VCU remains undefeated through its last five games, but Friday’s tie ended a four-game winning streak for the Rams. VCU will travel to Fairfax Sunday in search of its first CAA victory of the season. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.