August 16, 2009

RAMS END EXHIBITION WITH LONGWOOD IN SCORELESS TIE
Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – It wasn’t exactly the outcome it was looking for, but that’s why it’s the preseason.

After three 30-minute periods, the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team concluded its only exhibition contest of the 2009 campaign in a scoreless tie with the Longwood Lancers.

“It’s tough with these exhibition contests because we’re a little banged up so you’re not really able to see your whole starting lineup playing together,” Co-Head Coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “The important thing is we got our fitness workout in and a lot of girls got game experience.”

Although neither team found the back of the net, the Rams spent most of the game on the offensive side of the field, constantly putting pressure on the Lancers defense.

Redshirt senior Jasmine Riley (Arlington, Va.) (left) used her speed to create numerous chances including a near breakaway in the 16th minute in which fellow senior June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.) found her cutting to the net, but a Lancer defender was able to break it up.

Riley and Hartman would continue to try and connect throughout the contest, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Freshman Breiana White (Manassas, Va.) (right) showed her offensive prowess from the backline, blasting three shots, all on target and forcing Longwood goaltenders Marcia Biddle and Kyra Byron to make diving saves.

“The good thing about this is that we’re a young team, a lot of freshman and sophomores” Roberts Sahaydak added. “We’ve got a lot of work of head of us, but it was good for them to get some experience and see what we are going to expect from them on a daily basis.”

For the contest, VCU outshot the Lancers 10-2 with all three shots on goal coming off the foot of White.

Redshirt senior Kate Hudson (Clarksville, Md.) and redshirt sophomore Chenae Nelson (Alexandria, Va.) combined for the shutout in goal.

The Black & Gold open up its 2009 regular season with a 5 p.m. contest on Friday evening in Greenville, N.C. against the Pirates of East Carolina.