Rams blank Pride, earn first CAA win
Back-to-back goals by Forsan Asad-Radwan (Amman, Jordan/James River) gave VCU a first-half cushion that Hofstra could not overcome Saturday at SportsBackers Stadium. The Rams later added another goal to pull away, 3-0.
Asad-Radwan, a junior who was making his first career start, missed on a pair of shots in the first 20 minutes.
Back-to-back goals by Forsan Asad-Radwan (Amman, Jordan/James River) gave VCU a first-half cushion that Hofstra could not overcome Saturday at SportsBackers Stadium. The Rams later added another goal to pull away, 3-0.
Asad-Radwan, a junior who was making his first career start, missed on a pair of shots in the first 20 minutes. He said he remained aggressive and then connected in the 23rd minute to give the Rams the early advantage.
Joey Lyonnais (Fredericksburg/Massaponax) fed a long pass down the right sideline to Mirwies Zahelzi (Paderbon, Germany), who crossed to Asad-Radwan for the goal from five yards out.
“As a forward, you’re always hungry to score,” Asad-Radwan said. “It’s important to finish.”
Less than five minutes passed before Asad-Radwan tallied his second goal. Owusu Sekyere (Suame-Kumasi, Ghana/Opoku Ware) dumped the ball into the offensive end where C.J. Gehin-Scott (Chesapeake/Hickory) navigated by defenders and found Asad-Radwan to put the Rams up 2-0.
The second half was more of the same. Hofstra made more second-half substitutions than shots, and of their shots, nearly all narrowly missed.
The Rams, playing from ahead, didn’t completely relax with the lead. Octavio De Luca (Sao Paolo, Brazil/Joao Paulo) got a scoring opportunity started in the 60th minute. He made a long pass to Michael Denkewitz (Bremen, Germany), whose point-blank shot was deflected by Hofstra goalie Greg Cumpstone. Denkewitz gathered his own rebound and followed with a goal past two Pride defensemen.
“A win and a shutout was vital for the team,” Asad-Radwan said.
Andrew Dykstra (Woodbridge/Osbourn Park) made two saves and recorded his fourth shutout of the season. The Rams improved to 1-1in the Colonial Athletic Association after last week’s loss at George Mason and 5-4 overall.
“After a little upset at GMU, (tonight’s win is) a good way to get back on track and get ready for the two upcoming games on the road,” Asad-Radwan said.
The Rams take to the road for the next two matches, Wednesday at James Madison and Saturday at William and Mary.