VCU victorious in battle of the Rams

Kyler Gilliam, Contributing Writer

VCU men’s soccer defeated the University of Rhode Island Rams, 2-0, on Sept. 21 here in Richmond at Sports Backers Stadium.

This game was the first conference game for the Rams in the 2024 season, starting them with a 1-0 conference record, according to the Atlantic-10.

VCU dominated the ball all game, controlling the ball 64% of the time. VCU outshot URI 22-5 as well, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU head coach Dave Giffard said he was impressed with the defensive performance of his team, especially his back line.

“It’s the best back four in the country,” Giffard said.“Those guys put out so many fires.”

Third-year defenders Gerardo Castillo and Hayato Miyano and fourth-year defender Scott McLeod limited URI to one shot in the second half, according to VCU Athletics.

Third-year forward Papa Toure put VCU on the board early with a goal at the 11-minute mark with an assist on a cross pass from second-year midfielder Andrey Salmeron. The goal was Toure’s third of the season, according to VCU Athletics.

Toure said he credited practice for his connection with Salmeron, leading him to score.

“We work on it a lot during practice, and then we try it again during the game, it works,” Toure said.

Giffard said that the team’s energy started to dip after the early goal for VCU.

“I think our energy was a little bit low in the first half,” Giffard said. “I challenged the guys at halftime, ‘have better energy.’”

Third-year midfielder Mouhamed Tucker scored VCU’s second goal at the 66-minute mark. It was assisted by fellow third-year midfielder Andres Rodriguez on a cross pass.

It was Tucker’s first collegiate goal and gave VCU insurance, a good moment for the team and relief for Tucker, he said.

“Long time coming,” Tucker said. “That’s all I’ve been working towards, thanks for my teammates helping to get the goal.”

The two goals were scored on URI’s redshirt fourth-year goalkeeper Edu Rodriguez. Rodriguez entered the game as the nation’s leader in save percentage with a .952 and only allowed one goal before this game, according to VCU Athletics.

Giffard said spreading the ball helps the team get clearer shots at the goal. 

VCU redshirt fourth-year goalkeeper John Ermini played the entire match, helping the Rams get the clean sheet with a save at the seven-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.

The Rams are still undefeated at home this season, with a home record of 3-0-1, according to VCU Athletics.

Winning home games can lead to postseason success, Giffard said.

“Our goal is to win three trophies, to win the regular season, to win the conference and to win the NCAA tournament, and so the better you do, the more home games you get,” Giffard said.

VCU will play its next game against Marshall University on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Hoops Family Field in Huntington, W.V. at 7:15 p.m.