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SECOND HALF RALLY LEADS RAMS PAST MASON, 2-1, IN OVERTIME
“It’s great to get a win and we are pleased with the way we played in the second half and overtime,” Co-Head Coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “But again, we need to focus on a full 90 minutes of soccer instead of starting out slow like we have been.” The Black & Gold have now only one loss in its last six contests to improve their record to 5-4-1 and 1-1-0 in conference action, while the Patriots fall to 8-3 on the year, but 0-2 in the CAA. Mason came into the game averaging over three goals a game and it displayed its offensive prowess early as Tiana Kallenberger worked her way down the left side of the box and fired off the crossbar. Her shot bounced right onto the foot of Mary Kate Lowry, who tickled the twine, just 2:19 into the game to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead. Senior Jasmine Riley (Arlington, Va.) (right) nearly tied it up two minutes later when she blasted a shot from 10 yards out, but Patriots goalkeeper Katie Frey was able to knock it down to preserve the lead. VCU would continue the pressure Mason and freshman Gabrielle Wilson (Woodbridge, Va.) (below) thought she had the game tied at 1-1 when she dribbled through the defense and locked into a give-and-go with sophomore Paige Pierson (Sterling, Va.), which ended up with the ball in the net. However, a foul was called before the shot was taken, so the goal was waved off and the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Patriots. That was the score into the second half when Riley and sophomore Azania (Taboao Da Serra, Brazil) would take over, continually creating chances for each other, but neither were able to find the back of the net.
“It was actually because of Gabby [Wilson] playing so well that we were able to move Azania up top and utilize the speed and athleticism that she and Jasmine give us,” Roberts Sahaydak added. Riley nearly came up with late-game heroics, taking a pass in the 88th minute off a header from Azania and battled through the Patriot back line, but her shot went just wide. “Jasmine’s just such a dynamic player and we did a great job in the second half of finding her and using her to either set up a play or finish,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “Today it just happened to be that she wasn’t able to find the scoreboard, but that’s what happens in soccer.” The two teams battled into overtime with Omolyn Davis testing senior Kate Hudson (Clarksville, Md.) in net, but the veteran made the save to keep the game alive for the Rams. After firing off seven shots, Riley finally got her revenge, grabbing a defensive miscue by the Patriots and speeding down the middle until being taken down by Mary Kate Lowry inside the box for another penalty kick. Just as she did the first time, Adams stepped up and pounded it home to give VCU the dramatic 2-1 overtime victory. The two goals are the senior’s first since her first collegiate game back on August 26, 2006 in a 3-1 win over Stetson. “Amanda’s just one of those players that is willing to do whatever it takes to win,” Roberts Sahaydak commented. “She’s tough, hard-nosed and always wants to be the player to step up and lead us.” It was a physical game throughout with 28 fouls, six yellow cards and one red card. The Rams return to continue their three-game home stand on Friday, October 2nd against the Panthers of Georgia State. Game time at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
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RICHMOND, Va. – It must have been a memorable halftime speech in the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team’s locker room on Sunday afternoon after the Rams used a furious second half rally to top George Mason, 2-1, in overtime. 
Azania’s athleticism helped the Rams tie it up as she broke through the Mason defense and was taken down from behind to earn a penalty kick for the Black & Gold. Senior Amanda Adams (Salem, Va.) stepped up and deposited a shot into the bottom right corner to even the score at 1-1. All rights reserved.
