Rams win exhibition

Even though VCU’s first game was an exhibition, the women’s soccer team demonstrated why they are the preseason pick to repeat as Colonial Athletic Association champions. But you would not know it from some post-game reactions.

“We’ve got a lot to clean up,” co-head coach Denise Schilte-Brown said following the game. “The girls work hard together, but we need to polish our game.”

That is a dangerous thought for Rams’ opponents because VCU dominated American University on a scorching day at Sports Backers Stadium Saturday Aug. 20 and registered an 8-2 victory.

Seventeen Rams saw action in the game, but no performance was as dominating as the one displayed by senior Sandra Anger (Cuguen, France).

The 2004 CAA player of the year and conference tournament most valuable player tallied three goals and two assists against the Eagles, including the standout play of the game.

With just under 22 minutes remaining in the first half Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo.) crossed the ball to the middle of the penalty area where Anger headed it past American goalie Alison Doyle to give the Rams a 2-0 lead.

Despite her strong showing, Anger thinks her play and the team’s performance can improve.

“I still can work on attacking the center midfield. We had a couple of good chances, but we need to try to find more offense,” Anger said. “We are at a six (on a scale of one-10) right now.”

The Rams did take advantage of their opportunities in the first half scoring five goals and were able to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard.

Just over 10 minutes into the game, freshman Samara Stephen-Dowd (Vienna/Oakton High School) scored the Rams’ first goal. She outraced two Eagles defenders to the ball just inside the penalty area and knocked it over Doyle who came out of the goal to challenge Stephen-Dowd.

“It was exciting to help my team,” Stephen-Dowd said of scoring a goal in her first game.