Marle’s hat trick enough as Rams defeat Penn

Sophomore Marle van Dessel (Oisterwijk, The Netherlands/Odulphus Lyceum) scored all three of VCU’s goals in a 3-1 victory over the Pennsylvania Quakers this past Sunday afternoon. The victory improved VCU’s season record to 4-2. Her twin sister, sophomore Flore van Dessel (Oisterwijik, The Netherlands/Odulphus Lyceum) assisted on two of the goals.

The game started off with back-and-forth action in the beginning of the first half. Both teams spent time on the attack and had opportunities to score. About a minute into the game, Penn missed an opportunity to get on the board after a VCU turnover in their own zone. A minute later, Flore had a chance to score, but the Penn goalkeeper made the save. A few minutes later, VCU goalkeeper Laura Baker (Kent, England/Langley Park) saved a shot off of a penalty corner shot by Penn.

After Baker’s save, VCU turned up the offensive pressure. The Rams almost forced the Quakers to score a goal in their own net. About a minute later, Marle scored her first goal of the game off a penalty corner shot. Three minutes later, she scored her second goal when she deflected a shot from her sister into the goal. Minutes later, Marle finished the hat trick when she scored another goal.

The third goal was scored off another penalty corner shot and was assisted by Flore and senior Alaina Vernetti (Fredericksburg/Massaponax). The Quakers scored their only goal of the game minutes later to make the score 3-1.

In the second half, Penn spent most of the time on the attack, but the VCU defense buckled down and kept the other team scoreless. About halfway through the half, a goal by Penn was disallowed by officials, because the goal was scored outside of the striking circle. VCU also had their chances to score but were denied by the Quakers.

The next game for the Rams will be Sept 18 at Virginia at 6 p.m.