Men’s soccer falls to Akron 3-0 in season opener

Ethan York, Staff Writer

Devynn Alston, Contributing Writer

VCU men’s soccer played its first game of the 2025-2026 season on Aug. 21 against the Akron University Zips, losing 3-0 at Sports Backers Stadium.

 Akron kicked off the game — their first few attacks amounting to little as VCU held strong early.

The opening minutes proved to be physical ones, with neither team giving up any ground. 

Akron redshirt second-year midfielder, Caleb Borneo, fouled VCU third-year midfielder Lucas White, who was awarded a free kick four minutes into the game, according to StatBroadcast.

VCU first-year defender Fabián Garita returned the favor with a foul, resulting in a free kick for Akron fourth-year defender Ashton Kamdem.

VCU redshirt third-year midfielder Theo Drennan got the first shot of the game nearly 21 minutes in, but it was off-target, leaving the game scoreless.

The Rams’ Garta committed his second foul of the opening 22 minutes, receiving a yellow card for unsporting resulting in a free kick for Akron third-year midfielder Matt Dreas.

VCU third-year midfielder Andrey Salmeron got the first successful shot on target, aimed towards the bottom right of the net. Akron redshirt fourth-year goalkeeper Mitch Budler made the save — keeping the game tied.

Akron finally got its first shot of the game from second-year forward Nathan Ferguson at the 27-minute mark, but it was blocked by VCU third-year goalkeeper Trevor Maloney. 

Maloney continued to get tested by Akron’s offense. After making one save, he received a yellow card for unsporting — resulting in a penalty kick for Akron fourth-year forward Stefan Dobrijevic giving Akron its opening goal and breaking the deadlock at the 40-minute mark.

Akron went into halftime with a slight advantage of 1-0. Akron showed more prowess offensively with seven shots, two on-goal, one save, five fouls and two corners. VCU lagged behind with three shots, one on-goal, one save, eight fouls, four corners and three offsides, according to StatBroadcast. 

As the Rams kicked off the second half, they looked to fix their offensive woes and cut into the Zips’ 1-0 lead.

The Rams were able to put together an impressive sequence of passes to get into Akron’s half, but were ultimately shut down, resulting in another failed offensive opportunity for VCU 52 minutes into the game. 

VCU head coach Dave Giffard shared his optimism about the team’s chemistry going forward.

“This is going to be a team that has to grow in the season,” Giffard said. “We got guys that practiced one time and played 40 minutes tonight.”

VCU second-year midfielder Mohammed Ibrahim created some space 61 minutes in with individual brilliance and fired off a shot, but it was off-target. 

Akron’s lead soon extended to 2-0 as Dobrijevic scored the second goal at the 63-minute mark, being assisted by his teammates second-year midfielder Jack Roman and first-year forward Farrel Ngongang. 

Akron quickly piled on a third goal only two minutes after as Ngongang extended the lead to 3-0. 

VCU found themselves unable to control its physicality with 11 fouls, two yellow cards and only 10 minutes left, according to StatBroadcast.

The game concluded with Akron winning 3-0. Redshirt third-year midfielder Theo Drennan believes the loss was a learning experience for VCU.

“We wanted to come out here with a win opening night, but we just take what we learn and get better tomorrow,” Drennan said.

VCU men’s soccer will look to bounce back when they take on the University of North Carolina Greensboro on Sunday, Aug. 24, at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro.