Jenny Allen, Staff Writer
Men’s soccer at George Mason University
VCU defeated GMU in a 2-1 comeback, marking its second top-25 win of the season. The Patriots scored at the 22-minute mark to gain an early lead. Rams first-year forward Luca Estabio tied the game 44 minutes in with the team’s opening goal and his first collegiate goal. Estabio also led the Rams with four shots. Graduate forward Camilo Comi made the game-winner and his first goal of the season after being taken down in the penalty box.
Field hockey at Saint Joseph’s University
VCU came out on top against Saint Joseph’s 1-0. The Hawks outshot the Rams 3-1 in the first quarter. They went into halftime 0-0, with only one shot on goal from both teams in the second quarter. VCU first-year Angelina Gandos broke the deadlock with her first collegiate goal to put the Rams on top 51 minutes in. Saint Joseph’s ended with a 10-4 shot advantage, but only led 5-3 in shots on goal.
Men’s basketball Black and Gold game
The annual Black and Gold game at the Siegel Center gave Ram fans an exclusive look at the new team. The first period was 12 minutes, the second was 10 minutes and the final lasted six minutes, all to simulate different end-of-game scenarios. Second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. was a part of the gold team and pumped up the large crowd with a dunk and multiple three-pointers. Returning players fourth-year forward Christian Fermin and second-year guard Brandon Jennings excelled both offensively and defensively. First-year guard Nyk Lewis is a four-star prospect that scored 16 points and shot 6-10 from the floor. Third-year forward Tyrell Ward, redshirt second-year forward Jordann Dumont and third-year forward Lazar Djokovic transferred to VCU, and all brought a sense of aggression, skill and competitiveness to the court.
Men’s soccer vs. Saint Louis University
The Rams fell short to the Billikens at home 2-0. The Billikens started their scoring at the 26-minute mark and tallied their second goal only three minutes later. SLU outshot VCU 13-5, securing its eighth shutout of the season as it remained undefeated in conference play. The Rams did not quit and found three shots in the final nine minutes of the game, but could not find the back of the net in time with a last-minute crossbar shot by third-year forward Sulaiman Abdul-Mateen.
Women’s soccer at George Mason University
VCU women’s soccer replicated the men’s team magic from earlier in the week to secure a comeback 3-1 win over GMU. GMU scored within the opening five minutes to take a quick lead. VCU fourth-year forward Kendyl Sarver tied the game back up at the 26-minute mark as the Rams started to find their footing. Fourth-year midfielder Kiera Connolly extended the Rams’ lead in the second half before third-year forward Jazmin Jackson secured the win a few minutes later.
Women’s volleyball at University of Rhode Island (game one)
VCU gave Rhode Island no chance at victory, continuing its winning streak to four games. The game marked VCU’s 13th consecutive win against Rhode Island, dating all the way back to 2016. VCU ended the match 3-0 and out hit Rhode Island .224 to .110. The Black and Gold served up eight aces compared to URI’s two. VCU fourth-year opposite Julia Rienks tallied nine kills on 19 swings and contributed three blocks.
Women’s volleyball at University of Rhode Island (game two)
After VCU’s shutout against Rhode Island on Oct. 11, the match was a five-set nail-biter. VCU opened the first round with a 6-1 run, providing early momentum that allowed them to take the win. Rams third-year middle blocker Nina Boledovicova had back-to-back aces, adding to VCU’s first set energy. Rhode Island came out ready to fight back in the second set and defeated VCU 25-23, and kept its winning energy to take the third period 26-24. VCU found its rhythm again in the fourth with a 25-19 win. Both teams fought hard to take the final set, but VCU came out on top 15-13, giving them a 3-2 match victory.
Field hockey at American University
The Rams went home with a 1-0 victory over the Eagles after the defensive battle went into double overtime. The Eagles outshot the Rams 19-8 despite the loss and received five penalty corners compared to VCU’s three. VCU second-year redshirt goalkeeper Emma Clements saved three shots in the second and final period of overtime. After a blocked shot by Clements, first-year Lina Behrmann scored on a breakaway for the first goal of her college career.