Jenny Allen, Staff Writer
Women’s soccer vs. University of Richmond
VCU beat Richmond 2-1 in a hard-fought match. VCU third-year defender Ishpreen Marwah started the scoring early, finishing inside the box off a back-and-forth sequence at the six-minute mark. The Spiders responded with a goal at the top of the box at the 27-minute mark. Third-year redshirt forward Jensyn Lins netted the team’s second and game winning goal. The Rams outshot the Spiders 24-5 and held a 11-2 advantage with shots on goal.
Field hockey at Lock Haven University
VCU defeated Lock Haven 4-0 to earn its fourth straight win. The Rams dominated the game and outshot the Bald Eagles 21-2. Second-year redshirt goalkeeper Emma Clements had her third consecutive shutout and the seventh of the season. Rams second-year Ana Afonso Osorio scored the team’s first goal at the nine-minute mark on a penalty kick. VCU doubled its lead with a goal from first-year Emily Föerster early in the second quarter. Afonso Osorio put the Rams up 3-0 before halftime, as she scored her second goal off a penalty corner. Fourth-year Morena Macera scored the team’s fourth and final goal early in the fourth quarter.
Volleyball vs. George Mason University (game one)
VCU was unable to come out on top against George Mason with a 3-1 loss. VCU fell short in total kills, blocks and assists. Rams fourth-year outside hitter Kalina Pylinska led the team with 11 kills, but it was not enough to top GMU first-year outside hitter Kiera Hamilton’s 19 kills. Pylinska tallied four aces, all in one sequence in the second set. The Rams hit 0.123 while George Mason hit 0.180.
Volleyball vs George Mason University (game two)
Despite the first loss, VCU brought the energy and defeated George Mason 3-1. VCU’s Pylinska once again led the team with 15 kills. Graduate student setter Elif Ozsoy tallied an impressive 40 assists. VCU led in blocks and assists, whereas GMU led in aces and digs, and both teams totaled 49 kills during the match. The Rams won the first, third and fourth sets.
Men’s soccer at Loyola University Chicago
VCU toppled Loyola 3-0 in a team season-high. The first half ended scoreless as both teams were unable to get shots past the keepers. Rams third-year forward Sulaiman Abdul-Mateen scored the team’s first goal at the 58-minute mark. Shortly after, Abdul-Mateen doubled both the lead and his personal goals. Ramblers second-year midfielder David Siemionko was issued a red card, giving the Rams the momentum to finish the game in a shutout. First-year forward Hakim Musabbah put away the last goal for the Rams at the 83-minute mark.
Field hockey at Lehigh University
VCU edged out Lehigh 3-2 to continue its winning streak. VCU’s Macera scored two of the team’s goals, one in the second quarter and the other in the third. The Rams started the scoring nearly six minutes into the second period when first-year Lina Behrmann found the back of the net off a corner. The game was tied for less than one minute in the second quarter, when the Rams took the lead before entering halftime. VCU held a significant 23-7 shot advantage and a 10-3 edge in penalty corners.
Women’s soccer at Loyola University Chicago
VCU fell to Loyola 4-1 after a rough second half. The Rams opened the scoring at the 25-minute mark on a penalty kick, but Loyola answered less than a minute later, tying the game instantly. After halftime, the Ramblers took the lead at the 49-minute mark, then continued their momentum until the final whistle. Loyola prevented VCU from answering its high pressure and put another in the back of the net at the 81-minute mark. Unable to stop the attack, VCU let the final goal in during the last five minutes to end with a 4-1 loss.
Men’s basketball at Villanova University
VCU came up short 70-51 against Villanova in an exhibition game. The Wildcats were down four players due to injuries, but their defense was able to prevent the Rams from gaining momentum. VCU gave up the first seven points to Villanova, handing it the intensity early on. VCU’s first points came from a pair of free throws. Before entering the half, VCU narrowed the gap to 28-19 but Villanova forced 11 turnovers. Redshirt fourth-year guard Jadrian Tracey led the Rams with 12 points.