September 6, 2009

RAMS FALL TO UNC GREENSBORO, 1-0
Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. – It’s not exactly the start the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer envisioned for the 2009 campaign.

For the third time in four games, the Rams (1-3) found themselves on the wrong side of a one-goal decision, this time a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the UNC Greensboro (2-3) in the final game of the UNCG Invitational.

“This is a tough loss for us,” Co-Head Coach Tim Sahaydak said. “We had our opportunities, but we weren’t able to convert.”

Seniors Jasmine Riley (Arlington, Va.) and June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.) put pressure on Spartan goaltender Kelsey Kearney early with three shots in the first 10 minutes, forcing Kearney to make two saves.

That was as close as the Black & Gold would get as UNC Greensboro would tighten down the defense and hold VCU to just five shots the rest of the game, none of which were on target.

Freshman Lauryn Hutchinson (Sterling, Va.) came off the bench to give the Rams a spark in the first half, but neither team was able to find the back of the net before the intermission.

After the UNC Greensboro defense was able to thwart away another shot by Riley in the 56th minute, the Spartans turned on the offensive, with Kristin Player knocking down a pass from Jenn Partenheimer and poking it past VCU keeper Kate Hudson (Clarkville, Md.) to claim a 1-0 lead in the 62nd minute.

The Black & Gold were only able to muster two more shots the rest of the way against a stifling UNC Greensboro defense as the Spartans held on for the 1-0 victory.

Hutchinson, Hartman and Riley all tallied two shots apiece for VCU, who were outshot by a margin of 12-8 by the Spartans.

Hudson took the loss in goal, playing all ninety minutes and registering one save on the afternoon.

The Rams finally return home for the 2009 home opener in the VCU/Impact Sports Invitational with a 7:30 p.m. contest against Loyola (Md.).