October 5, 2008

TWO GOALS IN 72-SECOND SPAN SPELL DOOM FOR VCU
Rams’ seven-match unbeaten streak ends with 3-1 defeat at UNCW

WILMINGTON, N.C.—It took the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team nearly a month to build its seven-match unbeaten streak. UNC Wilmington senior Kelly Renkin undid the Rams’ work in just over a minute. Renkin scored twice in a span of 72 seconds to give the Seahawks a 3-1 win over VCU on Sunday. Both teams are now 6-5-1 overall. The Rams fell to 2-1-1 in the CAA, while UNCW improved to 2-2.

The Rams struck first blood with a goal in the 23rd minute by sophomore Laurel Pastor (Springfield, Va.), her fourth of the season. Pastor collected a loose ball at the top of the box and slipped it past UNCW goalkeeper Chandler Follett in the lower left hand corner of the net.  The Rams maintained the lead through the first five minutes of the second half. At that point, the Seahawks took over.

Six minutes into the half, Renkin scored her fourth goal of the season, taking a feed from Brittany Croce and racing down the right side before beating senior goalkeeper Kali Van Covern (Waynesboro, Va.) to the left side to even the score. Seventy-two seconds later Renkin scored her fifth goal of the season when she took a pass from Sydney Rigsbee and launched a shot from eight yards out, again sneaking it into the left side of the net.

The Seahawks added an insurance goal in the 73rd minute when Rigsbee lifted a pass over the VCU defense and found Kelly Dodd 18 yards away from the goal. Dodd promptly chipped it in to give the Seahawks a 3-1 advantage.

The second half proved to be the deciding factor. After out-shooting the Seahawks 3-2 in the opening frame, the Rams were out-shot 9-3 in the second half.

Van Covern took the first loss of her career. She took over the starting goalkeeping duties on Sept. 19, claiming a 4-0-1 record prior to Sunday’s loss. Follett improved to 4-2 on the season.

The Rams will return home for a Friday match-up against CAA foe Drexel. The Rams and Dragons will kick off at 7:00 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium.