VCU men’s soccer tie with the St. Louis Billikens, 0-0

Erica Simpson, Contributing Writer

Violet Velasquez, Contributing Writer 

VCU men’s soccer held its ground this past Friday night against the No. 12 St. Louis Billikens, with a 0-0 tie. 

This is the healthiest the black and gold have been all season, which provided much needed energy, according to head coach Dave Giffard.

“We’ve had injuries, injuries, injuries everywhere,” Giffard said. “This week was the first time that we’ve had almost everyone available, and the result showed in performance.”  

VCU held their own against the Billikens, who ended the game with a total of 15 fouls, according to Statbroadcast.

The game was intense from the start, with Rams junior forward Camilo Comi receiving the first foul 55 seconds into the game. 

The aggression remained obvious throughout the first half, with Billikens receiving a foul at the 10 minute mark, awarding a free kick to VCU freshman defender Leonel Vergara.

The crowd stood to their feet during a heated play between Saint Louis’s redshirt sophomore defender Galen Flynn and the black and gold’s junior forward Camilo Comi 10 minutes into the game, resulting in a free kick awarded to VCU.

It would continue to be back-and-forth in fouls received and awarded to both teams, according to Statbroadcast.

St. Louis freshman midfielder Carlos Leatherman received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct after being substituted five minutes prior.

The Rams had a slow offensive first half, as they ended with three shots on goal going into the second half.

VCU sophomore defender captain Gerardo Castillo said that there was a lack of communication on the field.

“We needed to start talking to each other and supporting each other,”Castillo said. 

VCU used halftime to recharge and began to assert offensive dominance as soon as the clock started, with four shots taken in the span of six minutes.

There were many good looks in the box, 13 out of 16 of their shots on goal were on target. Five of them were taken by freshman midfielder Andrey Salmeron

“Unfortunately, they didn’t go in but I was looking throughout the game for those little spaces, we have to keep moving forward to get the first win of the conference,” Salmeron said.

The team has to keep up their momentum to obtain victory, according to Salmeron.  

As the clock ticked down and attempts on goals were made, tension rose between the Billikens and Rams. 

A foul was called on black and gold’s freshman forward Seni Joseph and a free kick was awarded to St. Louis’s sophomore Max Floriani. 

A red card was issued to St. Louis’s sophomore defender Matthew Wrobel for unsportsmanlike conduct immediately after the free kick.

This resulted in a last minute momentum shift for VCU.

The Rams collected a series of corner kicks during the last few minutes of the game, and the Billikens collected their last few fouls resulting in a tie game, according to Statbroadcast.

The Rams displayed perseverance and dedication against the Billikens. 

Head coach Giffard said was very pleased with how the guys played Friday night. 

“This is the first time all season we’ve had this many players available, and as the game went on, you can see the quality and ability the group has,” Giffard said.

The Rams have been met with a series of tie games and losses but have yet to secure a win this season.

 With a dramatic change to the roster compared to last season, the Rams are beginning to learn their playing style as a team, according to Giffard.

“The players know that when we have our group we are as talented and as good as anybody in the country,” Giffard said.

  The Rams will travel to Rudd Field to play the University of Massachusetts Minutemen on Saturday, Sept. 23 at noon.