Kicking Off: Men’s soccer looks to bounce back after a year filled with hiccups
Yanni Kouiroukidis, Contributing Writer VCU men’s soccer is returning this year with new challenges to face — this time, it’s the opponent. The team dealt with three cancellations and five postponements over the course of their season last spring and missed the Atlantic 10 tournament. Team injuries and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic also […]
Men’s soccer kicks off 2021 spring season
Joe Dodson, Contributing Writer After the men’s soccer team’s fall season was postponed due to COVID-19, VCU men’s soccer coach Dave Giffard let his players decide between staying in their hometowns for the fall semester or coming to Richmond to train for the upcoming spring season. “We have a group of guys that are highly […]
Former men’s soccer players battle together in professional ranks
Joe Dodson, Contributing Writer After four years of playing together at Sports Backers stadium, two former VCU men’s soccer players now walk by Super Bowl banners on their way out of the locker room. “Being where Tom Brady played, that is quite special,” Joe Rice said. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to walking […]
Shimazaki selected in third round of MLS Superdraft
Noah Fleischman, Sports Editor Former men’s soccer defender Ryo Shimazaki was selected in the third round of the MLS Superdraft by the Columbus Crew on Monday afternoon, the fifth Ram to be drafted in five years. Siad Haji was the second overall pick in the 2019 MLS Superdraft, becoming the highest-drafted player ever selected from […]
Men’s soccer surges through conference play
Nile McNair, Contributing Writer Men’s soccer has made up for its 1-4 start to the season with a strong start to conference play, dropping only one game. The Rams were 4-0 in Atlantic 10 games before falling to Rhode Island 2-1 on the road Saturday. Heading into the final A-10 match of the season, the […]
VCU men’s soccer draws with Fordham
Joe Dodson, Contributing Writer Men’s soccer drew Fordham in a scoreless double-overtime game Wednesday night at Sports Backers Stadium. The Rams put up 15 shots in the 110-minute match, but couldn’t find their finishing touch. Coach Dave Giffard thought his team’s ability to hold off Fordham’s offensive was a game highlight. “The first real positive, […]
International roots shape men’s soccer
Joe Dodson, Contributing Writer Every year, colleges across the United States search the globe for promising young players to join their programs. VCU is no different; 13 of men’s soccer’s 33-man squad are international players. Redshirt-junior forward Biska Biyombo, senior defender Ryo Shimazaki and junior defender Ulrik Edvardsen traveled from across the world to continue […]
VCU men’s soccer remains undefeated in A-10 play after overtime win against Dayton
Joe Dodson, Contributing Writer Men’s soccer won its fourth straight A-10 match Wednesday night at Sports Backers stadium after knocking off Dayton 2-1 in overtime. Coach Dave Giffard was pleased with his team’s ability to “weather the storm” and create chances. “I was proud of the guys. I thought we stayed connected, and didn’t give […]
Road trippin’: 4,529 miles in 19 days
Noah Fleischman, Sports Editor For some college students, sleeping in on a Monday morning after a long weekend and skipping class is OK. That’s not the case for most student-athletes, especially men’s soccer players. “It’s a reality that college students skip class,” coach Dave Giffard said. “What our guys lose is the ability to do […]
Rams fall in overtime against NJIT
Adam Cheek, Staff Writer Men’s soccer dropped its match with New Jersey Institute of Technology on Sunday night 1-0 in overtime, despite the Rams outshooting the Highlanders 19-9. The black and gold held NJIT scoreless for the entirety of regulation, but Highlanders forward Rene White scored the game-winning goal six minutes into overtime. Sophomore forward […]