The weekly recap: Sept. 10

Jenny Allen, Staff Writer

Men’s soccer vs. Campbell University 

Campbell left VCU’s turf with a 1-1 draw. The game was filled with high intensity, resulting in four yellow cards between the teams. VCU third-year midfielder Kai Feng scored at the 58-minute mark. The Camels responded late, as third-year forward Marco Wright’s header off a free kick found the back of the net to make it 1-1. VCU received a penalty kick minutes later, but could not get past CU second-year goalie Max Leviton, ending the game in a tie. 

Women’s volleyball at the University of Virginia

VCU was defeated 3-1 at UVA’s home opener. VCU fell short in the first two sets, while UVA went on multiple consistent runs to set the tone early in its home gym. VCU brought the fight in the third set and came out on top 25-13. VCU kept the momentum to start the fourth and final set, but UVA came back with a vengeance as it tallied seven of the next 10 points. The Cavaliers stacked up kills and ultimately left the Rams behind.

Women’s soccer vs. United States Naval Academy 

VCU hosted a 75-minute rain delay for the Navy. Continuing the slow start, the first half ended in a 0-0 tie. Navy first-year midfielder Jessica Black netted her first collegiate goal to put them on top at the 51-minute mark. VCU fought back and scored two goals in the final 30 minutes, allowing the Rams to finish strong and take the win. 

Women’s volleyball vs. Appalachian State University

 Appalachian State came out on top 3-2 against VCU in the Cavalier Classic tournament. Despite falling short, VCU fourth-year Julia Rienks led the Rams with 21 kills, keeping the rallies intense. VCU reached set point in the first game, but let App State go on a 5-0 run to secure the round. VCU bounced back, trading the lead five times in the second set, eventually taking the win. The Rams broke a tie late in the third set to make it 2-1.

App State and VCU traded the lead six times in the set. App State did not want to end the fight, sealing the match segment 25-23. Making its way to the fifth set, intensity was high, but the Rams were unable to prevent the Mountaineers’ kills, giving App State the victory. 

Women’s field hockey vs. College of William and Mary

Coming in strong right from the start, VCU took a 3-0 victory from W&M. VCU fourth-year Morena Macera turned the first penalty corner into a goal at the 13-minute mark. Minutes later, second-year Ana Afonso Osario added to VCU’s lead, converting another penalty corner into a goal. The Tribe encountered many opportunities to come back in the second quarter – however, blocks from Rams redshirt second-year goalie Emma Clements kept them out in front. Entering the 55th minute, Macera found the back of the net again to score her fifth goal of the season. Despite the Tribes’ season high of six penalty corners and four shots, the Rams held them to zero goals.

Men’s soccer vs. High Point University

VCU took a hard-fought loss at home to No. 15 High Point, ending 3-1. Yet to secure its first at-home win, VCU was unable to find the back of the net after its goal in the ninth minute by redshirt third-year midfielder Lucas White. Defense dominated the first half, until a last-minute goal by HPU tied it up in the 40th minute. Three minutes later, a penalty kick goal put HPU up 2-1 to close the half. HPU carried the momentum into the second half and scored another goal right off the whistle. The Rams were unable to come back after White received a red card, forcing them to play a man down, and the Panthers left with the victory. 

Women’s soccer vs. Old Dominion 

VCU came up short 2-1 to ODU during an in-state match. VCU’s fourth-year midfielder Keira Connolly set the tone right from the whistle, getting a shot off before the clock hit one minute. ODU matched VCU’s energy with back-to-back goals by third-year midfielder Riley Mullen. With five minutes remaining in the first half, Rams third-year midfielder Vivian Vendt snuck one past ODU’s keeper. VCU’s third-year goalkeeper Mia Pongratz kept the Monarchs limited to two goals as she made consistent saves despite the loss.