October 4, 2009

RAMS FALL TO POTENT UNC WILMINGTON ATTACK, 4-1
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Even though it resides in North Carolina, the UNC Wilmington women’s soccer team seems pretty comfortable in the state just north and the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer found out just how comfortable on Sunday afternoon.

The Rams fell victim to the powerful UNC Wilmington attack, 4-1, in Colonial Athletic Association action. The Seahawks are now a perfect 4-for-4 in games played inside the Virginia state lines.

“Simply put, we just have to get better and work harder as the season goes on,” Co-Head Coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “I thought today really showed how much depth can really play a part in a game. With some players injured and some unavailable, it was tough. But overall, we have to be able to outwork each and every opponent and we didn’t do that today.”

UNC Wilmington (7-5, 3-1 CAA) would strike early as Kelly Dodd dribbled down the left sideline and found Erica Rodgers in the box, who deposited her shot into the upper right corner of the net to give the Seahawks a 1-0 advantage less than four minutes into the game.

The Rams (5-5-2, 1-2-1 CAA) tried to even the score just six minutes later when sophomore Paige Pierson (Sterling, Va.) lofted a pass over the Seahawk defense and on to the diving foot of senior June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.). Even with the dive, Hartman was only able to get a small piece of it as the shot went just right of the net.

Stephanie Rose found a cutting Megan Novak in the 28th minute to extend the Seahawk lead to 2-0.

The score would remain the same until the 77th minute when Rose was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick, which Rodgers blasted into the upper left corner of the net to push the advantage to 3-0.

Just six minutes later, sophomore Heather Hovanesian (Centreville, Va.) tried to spark a VCU rally as she sent a cross into the box that went off a Seahawk defender and into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season.

UNC Wilmington would not allow the Rams to enjoy the goal as Ashley Myers headed in a goal just 11 seconds after Hovanesian’s goal.

Senior Kate Hudson (Clarksville, Md.) registered five saves on the afternoon.

The Rams return to action when they travel north to take on the Dragons of Drexel University on Friday evening at 7 p.m.