Men’s soccer falls in A-10 championship

After winning two straight games in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the VCU men’s soccer team fell 3-0 to St. Louis in the championship match.

The Rams defeated Temple and No. 18 Charlotte – both by scores of 1-0 – on consecutive days to advance to the tournament final.

Kingsley Bryce put the Billikens on the board in the fourth minute off a corner kick assisted by David Graydon.

St. Louis would strike again in the 32nd minute on a breakaway by Adnan Gabeljic who buried a shot past VCU goaltender Clark Hankins to grab a two-goal advantage.

The Billikens added some insurance in the 52nd minute when William Hidalgo placed a cross shot in the upper corner from about five yards out to give St. Louis a three-goal lead.

VCU outshot the Billikens 16-9, but left a lot of missed opportunities on the table. Dennis Castillo led the Rams with four shots, one on goal. Devon Fisher had three shots and Romena Bowie, Jason Johnson, Mario Herrera Meraz and Jose Manel registered two shots apiece.

Hankins made one save on four shots on goal in 90 minutes of play. Merz led VCU with two goals in the A-10 Tournament. Joseph Haboush and Nate Shiffman each had one assist in the tournament.

The Rams (12-3-5, 6-1-2) will learn their fate in the NCAA Tournament selection show Monday evening and will likely earn an at-large bid.

Staff Reports