Comeback falls short

The VCU Rams women’s soccer team finished up its exhibition schedule Saturday night at SportsBackers Stadium, a 3-2 loss to the Washington Freedom.

The highly anticipated exhibition seemed it would provide more questions than answers early on in the match, as the Freedom dominated the first half. Ali Andrzejewski scored Washington’s first goal in the 21st minute on a nicely placed pass across the box from Lori Lindsey.

The Rams defense held off the Freedom from scoring again until the final six minutes of the first half as Lindsey and Jen Parsons both scored to extend the Freedom halftime lead to 3-0.

Parsons is a former VCU standout who holds the records for most goals scored and most points in school history.

The second half of the match was a different story as the Rams came out fired up and refocused.

The first-half frustrations missing opportunities to score came to an end with a goal by June Hartman (Virginia Beach/Tallwood). The junior scored from the top of the box through heavy defensive traffic and cut the lead to two in the 58th minute.

Then on what could be considered the play of the game, Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) paired with Meg Khandan-Barani (Radford/Radford) on a picture-perfect corner kick that cut the lead to one in the 84th minute.

Time was not on the Rams’ side, however, as the Freedom weathered the final six minutes of play and escaped with the win.

The Freedom were formerly with the Women’s United Soccer Association and now compete in the W-League of the United Soccer Leagues.

VCU will be back in action next Friday night as it takes on cross-town rival Richmond at 7 p.m.