Rams win VCU Nike Classic with 2-0 victory over W&M

Zachary Holden
Staff Writer

It took the VCU men’s soccer team five minutes to score against the Tribe of William & Mary Sunday evening at Richmond’s Sports Backers Stadium. The 2-0 win was the Rams’ first one this season and clinched the VCU Nike Classic.
“It was a win with some character to it,” coach Dave Giffard said. “It’s our first trophy, our first tournament win since we’ve been here and our first goal. I was very proud of the guys tonight.”
After gaining control of the ball outside the box, Rams’ redshirt freshman Devon Fisher unleashed a shot from nearly 20 yards out that soared past the Tribe’s goalkeeper Bennett Jones.
“(It) felt great. First goal (in the) first couple games,” said Fisher. “It helped the team win.”
Shortly after, the Tribe began to test the Rams’ goalie Andrew Wells, forcing him to make two saves in as many minutes.
The rest of the first half was fairly tame as neither side could break through the opposing defense. Controversy arose right before halftime as Rams’ forward K.C. Onyeador was taken down in the box by the Tribe defense and the referee allowed play to continue.
“The benefit of being on the sideline is that it’s a lot easier to see things,” said Giffard. “Sometimes it’s tough to see everything. I don’t know if it was a penalty or not, but we all make mistakes and it’s a part of the game, you just have to learn how to deal with it and move on.”
The second half started up and nearly took a turn for the worst five minutes in, as a defensive mistake from the Rams almost turned into a Tribe equalizer. Wells pounced on the ball and secured the one-goal lead.
Double yellow cards were shown to Rams’ forward Jason Johnson and Tribe’s defender Michael Teiman as they got into a heated altercation at the 60-minute mark. From this point on, the physicality of the game increased from both sides. Six yellow cards were brandished; three for each team.
With less than ten minutes to go, the Rams kept up their intensity. An apparent goal after Johnson nodded in was ruled offside. Three minutes later, another goal for the Rams was deemed offside.

After a flurry of assaults from the Tribe, the Rams got a lucky break as Kharlton Belmar stole the ball and passed it off to Jose Manel Bel, who slotted it home with ease to put the Rams up 2-0 and put the game out of reach.
The Rams face a tough six game road trip over the next three weeks, before returning home Sept. 25 to take on the University of Virginia.
“It’s always good to get wins,” said Giffard. “They’re going to be tough games. We schedule it that way to get the guys a little more battle tested and ready for the postseason.” CT