Production by Frances Correa
Photos by Kyle Hunt
The men’s soccer team closed their preseason Friday in a rain-soaked 1-2 defeat at Sports Backers Stadium against Virginia Tech.
Though VCU appeared threatening in the opening minutes, it was Ghanaian international Emmanuel Akogyeram of Tech who found the back of the net in the 17th minute thanks to an unmarked right-side cross from the right side from defender James Shupp.
The black and gold were quick to respond, equalizing in the 25th minute. A slotted pass from Romario Blandon (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) found James Neighbour (Liphook, England) who shot past Hokie keeper, Stefan Caulfield. It would be Caulfield’s only blemish on the evening, considering he made four crucial saves throughout the full 90 minutes.
The Rams’ midfield atypically lacked possession throughout the match, resulting in plenty of offensive pressure and 15 shots for the Hokies.
“We’re usually a good team keeping the ball and we just kept giving the ball away, giving the ball away, giving the ball away,” Rams coach Tim O’Sullivan said. “We’re defending all the time and getting stretched out.”
The nail in the coffin came in the 68th minute when Akogyeram, unassisted, danced through three defenders and slid the ball past keeper Andrew Wells (Richmond).
Akoygyeram looked particularly threatening throughout the night. Though frantic at times, the Rams center backs did well to contain the Hokie threat.
“Our three center backs have been outstanding today,” O’Sullivan said. “If we’d just been a little more patient we would have come out as a better squad.”
VCU had Tech on the ropes at times, causing obvious discomfort for the Tech defense, which fouled VCU 21 times. The Rams’ 11 shots and Neighbour’s goal were just not enough to make the difference. Rookie Carlos Picado (San Jose, Coast Rica) led the Rams in shots with three but couldn’t seem to find the back of the net.
“VCU has always been a very good side very technical players. I just didn’t feel like we dealt with them the way that we need to,” Virginia Tech coach Mike Brizendine said.
According to O’Sullivan, the team is still a ways from clicking the way a good team needs to. With eight new players in the starting 11 and the regular season starting next weekend, the team has some work to do in upcoming practice sessions.
“We’re pretty far away at getting everyone on the same page,” O’Sullivan said. “We have a good group and there’s a lot of potential there but we’re still a ways away at coming together collectively.”
VCU begins their regular season with the Coastal Carolina Tournament in Conway, S.C., next weekend, facing St. Francis (N.Y.) on Sept. 4 and Albany on Sept. 6.