VCU Rams

August 29, 2008

LATE BARRAGE DOOMS VCU
Rams drop 5-0 contest to seventh-ranked Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—A valiant first-half effort by the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team was outdone by a barrage of second-half goals, as the Rams fell 5-0 at the hands of seventh-ranked Virginia on Sunday at Klockner Stadium. After trailing 1-0 at the intermission, the Rams surrendered four goals in the second half, including two in the final three minutes.

Though the ball spent most of the first half on the Rams’ side of the pitch, VCU remained even with the Cavaliers until the 26th minute when Virginia scored on a header by Alli Fries. The senior took a free kick from Sinead Farrelly and snuck it past VCU goalkeeper Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va.). That was the lone blemish for VCU in the half, despite the fact that the Cavaliers out-shot the Rams, 7-1, and held a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Virginia produced four shots in the first 20 minutes of the match. The Rams’ lone shot in the opening frame came on a last-second shot by Molly Allen (Halifax, Nova Scotia) that did not reach the goal before time expired.

The Cavaliers added to the margin with a quartet of second half goals. The Cavaliers have scored 14 goals in three matches this season. Ten have come in the second half. In the 57th minute, Sarah Senty found Farrelly streaking down the left sideline. Senty collected the ball cleanly and neatly fed it to Maggie Kistner in the box. Kistner finished the play by tapping the ball in from point blank. In the 66th minute, Caitlin Miskel collected a pass from Lauren Alwine that just snuck past defender Michelle Schuler (Skillman, N.J.). Miskel promptly launched it into the upper right corner of the net from 15 yards to the left.

Virginia tacked onto its final tally with a pair of goals in the final three minutes. After the Rams committed a foul in the box with three minutes remaining, Nikki Krzysik converted on the penalty kick. In the 89th minute, Meghan Lenczyk took a touch pass from Lindsey Miller and punched the ball in from 12 yards out.

VCU nearly scored its first goal of the season in the game’s final minute, but a cross from Laurel Pastor (Springfield, Va.) to June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.) was intercepted by Virginia goalkeeper Celeste Miles.

For the game, the Rams were out-shot 14-2. Virginia produced eight corner kicks compared to two by VCU. Against the constant pressure by Virginia, Hardison made four saves.

The Rams next travel to Raleigh, N.C. looking for their first victory of the season. VCU will play against host N.C. State on Friday at the Residence Inn North Tournament. The Rams will then square off against UNC Greensboro on Sunday to wrap up the tournament.