October 16, 2008

RAMS SURRENDER TWO GOALS IN FINAL FOUR MINUTES AGAINST WILLIAM & MARY
Two goals in 102-second span spur Tribe to 2-1 win over VCU

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.—A potentially huge victory turned into a heartbreaking defeat in a span of 106 seconds. The Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team took a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute, but two goals in the final four minutes gave William & Mary a 2-1 win.

Through the first 62 minutes, the Rams recorded seven shots on goal, while keeping the Tribe without a shot on the net. VCU finally broke through when junior June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.) lofted a shot high into the net off a feed from senior Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). It was the Rams’ first goal against William & Mary in over 385 minutes.

Just over three minutes away from their first win over William & Mary since 2004, the Rams were undone by a pair of William & Mary goals in less than two minutes. Two-time CAA Player of the Year Claire Zimmeck, who only had two shots on the night, finally broke through in the 87th minute. Abby Lauer found Zimmeck streaking toward the goal, and Zimmeck put it in the net to tie the game. One minute and 46 seconds later Lauer launched a long pass to find Jenkins, who planted it into the net from eight yards out.

“Soccer’s a funny game,” said VCU co-head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak. “We played really well for 85 minutes. I’m really proud of how we fought for 85 minutes. But these two teams are too good and too close. We can’t play for just 85 minutes. We really came out and proved ourselves in front of a national audience on TV and good crowd in the stands. We played pretty soccer. We fought, we battled, we did everything you have to do to win, but we did it for 85 minutes. We have to do it for 90 minutes. This one’s really tough.”

The Rams (8-6-1, 4-2-1) now must regroup for a Sunday meeting with Old Dominion in Norfolk. The league-leading Tribe (11-4-1, 6-1) will host James Madison.