Men’s soccer starts conference play with scoreless stalemate against Dayton

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor

Ben Martindale, Contributing Writer

VCU men’s soccer tied 0-0 in its Atlantic 10 conference opener against the University of Dayton on Sept. 21 at Sports Backers Stadium.

The game came off the back of a big week for the Rams, who emerged unscathed from their two-game road trip. VCU took down previously undefeated No. 2 Clemson 2-1 before beating the University of Pennsylvania 1-0. 

VCU kicked-off, however Dayton quickly began to control possession, stringing together passes on VCU’s half. 

The Rams’ offense appeared lost for the opening minutes as they rarely found themselves in possession for very long. 

VCU quickly switched gears and built a rapid counter-attack that resulted in a threatening cross and a shot on goal from second-year forward Deniss Hayes, but Dayton fourth-year goalkeeper Gavin Krenecki would snuff it out. 

The Rams went on another blistering counter. D. Hayes got in a shot after a pass from second-year midfielder Mohammed Ibrahim. His twin brother second-year defender Nikita Hayes also got in a shot — but Krenecki saved both. 

Dayton continued to maintain a majority of possession as VCU found most of its success on counters. 

Dayton’s first real chance came from a shot outside the box, but VCU third-year goalkeeper Trevor Maloney made an acrobatic save to keep it leveled. 

VCU and Dayton traded unsuccessful attacks 25 minutes in as neither team could find its footing. 

Dayton slowly started to build momentum, once again holding the ball on VCU’s half, creating multiple dangerous opportunities in the process. 

The Flyers continued their push with less than 15 minutes remaining in the first half as they kept the Rams on their heels. 

VCU began to hit its stride again on the back of quick counter-attacks with less than 10 minutes to play in the first half. The Rams attacked multiple times, but to no avail. 

VCU continued its push, resulting in an opening goal from redshirt third-year Lucas White with less than two minutes to play in the first half, however a video review saw the goal get called back. 

“It’s frustrating because, you know, we scored and it was incorrectly called back for off-sides, but that’s the view that the officials have because all they have is the ESPN view,” VCU coach Dave Giffard said. “[The referee] has been doing this for a long, long time at a good level, and he could only go by what he saw.”

The Rams went into halftime with nearly all the momentum. Not much could separate the teams on the scoreboard, however, as both had two shots on goal. The Flyers played a more physical half, committing six fouls and receiving two yellow cards. 

Dayton started the second half immediately on the attack. 

Neither team gained an edge in the opening ten minutes, with Dayton passively possessing the ball for most of it.

VCU’s Maloney built off his previous two games that saw him win A-10 defensive player of the week. He continued to be a wall in the net, claiming crosses and commanding the defense. 

“They definitely love to attack,” Maloney said. “They came down on our wings a lot, and they put the pressure on us.”

The opening 20 minutes of the second half remained largely uneventful. Neither team gained a reasonable advantage or built momentum.

VCU’s second half attacks primarily funneled through Ibrahim and third-year midfielder Andrey Salmeron. The duo played an important role in much of the Rams’ build-up play.

Tensions flared up with less than 10 minutes to play, as VCU first-year forward Hakim Musabbah received a red card after striking an opponent on the head. 

VCU carried on despite its missing man. A shot by N. Hayes barely went over the bar with less than five minutes left to play. 

Dayton went on the attack and launched a shot from outside the box, but Maloney remained strong and made an incredible save to tip the shot over the bar with less than two minutes in the game. 

Maloney’s save would end the game, leaving VCU winless at home. Maloney still shined in the tie, as he matched his career high in saves with four. 

VCU men’s soccer will wrap up its challenging non-conference schedule against No. 6 Marshall University at home on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Sports Backers Stadium at 7 p.m.