The VCU women’s soccer team turned in an impressive weekend in Richmond as they played for the first time this season at Sports Backers Stadium.
“They do see it (Sports Backers) as our home, we defend our home . they love playing in front of their fans and their families,” said VCU co-head coach Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak.
The 2009 home campaign kicked off with the first VCU/Impact Sports Invitational, which included Eastern Michigan University, Loyola (Md.) and the University of Richmond.
In their first action of the weekend the Rams routed Loyola, 3-0.
Thanks to tough defensive play and a steady attack, VCU was able to wear down the Greyhounds.
Sophomore Azania Barbosa (Taboao Da Serra, Brazil) tallied her first goal of the season in the tenth minute after a solid pass by Jasmine Riley (Arlington).
The game was sealed in the second half as seniors June Hartman (Virginia Beach) and Sara McAulay (Midlothian) found the back of the net in the 75th and 82nd minutes, respectively.
The Rams moved to 2-3 overall with the victory.
The second game of the weekend for the Rams took place on Sunday when they battled cross-town rival Richmond.
The game was a classic defensive struggle as both sides exchanged missed opportunities. Total possession was close to even as neither team was able to dominate the action.
“It was a good, all-around good athletic game and it was just pushing through till the end,” said senior midfielder June Hartman.
The scoreless tie in regulation sent the game into overtime-VCU’s second trip to extra sessions on the young season.
The Rams had three great chances for goals in both overtime periods.
In the first overtime, senior Amanda Adams (Salem) received a pass in the box and would’ve had the game winner if Richmond keeper Melissa Pacheco did not make a diving save to her left.
In the second extra session, the Rams batted around a ball in the box off a corner kick. Sophomore Heather Hovanesian (Centreville) missed the left side of the goal post by mere inches and the goose eggs on the scoreboard were preserved.
Freshman Lauryn Hutchinson (Sterling) also came very close to scoring the game winner in the second overtime.
Despite the Rams’ great chance, the stalemate continued and the two teams completed the match scoreless.
One positive coming out of the weekend was the two shutouts the Rams defense put up.
“We had another shutout today . defensively we have been very solid and I am really happy with our back four, and the team as a whole defensively,” Roberts-Sahaydak said.
The tie moves the Rams’ record to 2-3-1 on the season. They finished 1-0-1 in the tournament, good for a second place finish.
The team heads to Bethlehem, Pa. for a match at Lehigh on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.