Sports briefs

MEN’S SOCCER

Senior goalkeeper Andrew Dystra (Woodbridge/Osbourn Park) saved eight shots against Virginia this past Saturday to help the Rams win 3-1. His play made him the CAA Co-Player of the Week. Dykstra became the first Ram to win the award since senior Gerson Dos Santos (Sao Paulo, Brazil/E.E. Ruth Cabral Troncarelli). It is the first time Dykstra has won the award. In his four-year career he has a 1.12 goals against average with 12 shutouts while making 180 saves.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Senior midfielder Stephanie Power (Darmouth, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth) was named to the National Elite Team of the Week by Soccer Buzz Magazine. It is the second time in her career Power has been named to the team. Earlier in the week, she was named the CAA Player of the Week. Power had a large role in two VCU wins this past weekend. On Friday, she had a goal and an assist against Bucknell. On Sunday, she scored a goal and had two assists against Loyola. Power and the Rams next play Friday at 6 p.m. against Wofford at SportsBackers Stadium.

MEN’S TENNIS

Freshman Nicolas Vinel (Metz, France) opened his career with a trip to the finals of the ‘B’ Singles draw at the UVA Fall Invitational. Vinal beat Patrick Daciek of Virginia Tech (1-6, 7-5, 6-1) in the round of 16, Haig Schneiderman of Columbia (6-4, 7-5) in the quarterfinals and Filip Kricka of Stetson (6-0, 6-1) in the semifinals. Vinal could not compete in the finals because he was forced to withdraw. Junior Thibault Charron (Sens, France) made it to the ‘A-1’ semifinals. He defeated Cesare Gallo of Stetson (6-1, 6-0) in the round of 16 and Oscar Podlewski of Elon (7-5, 6-0) in the quarterfinals. Charron was down a set to Drew Courtney of Virginia when he had to retire.