Men’s soccer headed for Elite Eight
It had to happen.
Wake Forest had to lose in the NCAA tournament and VCU had to beat them.
Rams goalkeeper Saul Montero made sure of it by stoning a penalty kick by Demon Deacons defender Julian Valentin, putting an end to a 2-2 tie that spanned two overtimes and giving VCU a 7-6 win in the shootout.
It had to happen.
Wake Forest had to lose in the NCAA tournament and VCU had to beat them.
Rams goalkeeper Saul Montero made sure of it by stoning a penalty kick by Demon Deacons defender Julian Valentin, putting an end to a 2-2 tie that spanned two overtimes and giving VCU a 7-6 win in the shootout.
The Rams are now off to the West Coast to face top-ranked UC Santa Barbara in the first ever Elite Eight appearance for both teams.
Junior forward Dominic Oduro kept the Rams alive. His first goal, a header off a cross from freshman Chris Chaves, gave VCU the lead just six minutes into the game.
Wake Forest, the No. 1 seed going into the game, tied the game just nine minutes later off a goal from midfielder Steven Curfman.
Valentin went from hero to goat in the span of 65 minutes. The freshman put Wake Forest up by heading in a corner kick in the 23rd minute. But after everyone connected on their shots in the shootout, Valentin had his attempt gobbled up by VCU’s team captain Montero.
VCU is scheduled to play UC Santa Barbara Saturday at 7 p.m. at Harder Stadium. As usual, the Rams will have their work cut out for them. The Gauchos’ last loss came to UC Irvine Oct. 21. They’ve won eight straight since.