RAMS READY TO ROLL; OPEN SEASON AT RICHMOND

Release: 08/29/2008

RICHMOND, Va.—Expectations were raised a year ago. Despite being ravaged by injuries, the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team battled to an 11-7-3 mark, including a 7-3-1 record in conference play. The Rams also qualified for the CAA Championship game for the third time in four years. It is quite an act to follow for co-head coaches Tim Sahaydak and Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, who return for their second season with the Rams and second overall as head coaches in the college ranks.

“It really has been a wonderful collaboration,” Tiffany said. “We didn’t know how it was going to work when we took the job. It wasn’t like we had a meeting and said, ‘These are your duties, these are mine, you sit here, I sit there.’ Tim and I are a good team.  We complement each other.   We naturally gravitated to our strengths.”

The strengths of the husband and wife team will be complemented this season by the Rams’ strengths on the field. VCU nine starters off of last years team, in addition to the return of starting goalkeeper Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va.), who missed all of last season with an injury.

Hardison will be aided defensively by senior Samara Stephen-Dowd (Vienna, Va.). Stephen-Dowd was named to the CAA All-Tournament team after helping the Rams reach the championship game. In addition, Stephen-Dowd was named to the Preseason All-CAA team prior to this season.

Offensively, junior June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.) returns to lead the Rams’ attack. A year ago, Hartman registered seven goals and 18 points, both team highs. After playing sparingly as a freshman, Hartman contributed the Rams’ first six goals of 2007 (five goals, one assist). She notched her first career hat trick against Navy, scoring all three goals in the Rams’ 3-0 win over the Midshipmen.

VCU opens the season Friday night (Aug. 29) against local rival Richmond at 7:00 p.m. The Rams remain on the road with a 6:00 p.m. contest against ACC power Virginia on Sunday.