Alonzo Small
Sports Editor
VCU women’s soccer got back to their winning ways after successfully defeating the University of Pittsburgh 1-0 on Sept. 12. The Lady Rams have now won two out of the last three games to improve their overall record to 2-3-2 on the season.
The Rams would score early in the contest when junior Sharon Wojcik turned an assist from junior Abbey Ritter into a header, for a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute. Overall, the goal was the seventh score of the season in seven games played. For the remainder of the game, the Ram’s defensive onslaught continued along with junior Emma Kruse registering two saves for her second shutout in the previous three games. In the closing minutes of the second half, Vanderspiegel’s team extinguished what little fight Pitt had left en route to their second victory of the season.
The Rams only scored once but had opportunities to increase the lead throughout. Vanderspiegel’s team finished with a 15-7 shots advantage over Pittsburgh, as well as producing more shots on goal opportunities (5-2). Pittsburgh would stop the Rams from adding to their deficient by tallying four saves in the contest, two greater than VCU.
For Wojcik, her first goal of the year would be enough to propel the Rams within one game of .500 after a rough first half of the season.
“We started off strong and kept our momentum high throughout the game,” Wojcik said. “From the front line to the back, it was a full team effort that allowed us to win this one. And getting the game winner just added on to the excitement.”
After the game, Vanderspiegel accessed her team’s effort, applauding her player’s tenacity down the stretch.
“Pitt failed to match our intensity and physicality until late in the second half and we were able to weather the storm in the waning minutes,” Vanderspiegel said. “It was a solid win and hopefully one we can build upon.”
The Rams rebounded well after suffering their third defeat of the season days prior. On Sept. 7, the women’s soccer team was on the losing end of a 1-0 decision after traveling to Harrisonburg, Virginia to then-ranked No. 24 James Madison University.
Just over four minutes in the game, an early goal by JMU redshirt-senior Sam Lofton off an assist by sophomore Allie Bunner was enough to win as James Madison captured their fourth win of the season. VCU senior Maren Johansen tried to tie the game in the closing minutes with two good looks at the net within ten seconds of one another. But it was not to be as the Johansen’s first shot was blocked by a JMU defender, and the second was saved by JMU redshirt-junior goalkeeper Ellen Forrest.
The Lady Rams returned home Sunday, Sept. 13 for a three-game home slate at Sports Backers Stadium, the first of which was against American University. However, results were not final in time for production.
Only two games remain for the Rams in non-conference play: University of Pennsylvania on Sept. 19 and University of Longwood on Sept. 21.
Afterwards, the Rams kickstart their Atlantic 10 inner-conference schedule. Last year under Vanderspiegel, the Rams finished 3-3-2 (.500) in conference play.
Just over four minutes into the game, an early goal by JMU redshirt-senior Sam Lofton off an assist by sophomore Allie Bunner was enough as James Madison captured their fourth win of the season. VCU senior Maren Johansen tried to tie the game in the closing minutes with two good looks at the net within 10 seconds of one another. But both attempts were denied entry as Johansen’s first shot was blocked by a JMU defender, and the second was saved by JMU redshirt-junior goalkeeper Ellen Forrest.
The Lady Rams returned home Sunday, Sept. 13 for a three-game home slate at Sports Backers Stadium, the first of which was against American University. However, results were not final in time for production.
Only two games remain for the Rams in non-conference play: University of Pennsylvania on Sept. 19 and University of Longwood on Sept. 21. Then the Rams kickstart their Atlantic 10 inner-conference schedule. Last year under Vanderspiegel, the Rams finished 3-3-2 (.500) in conference play.
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