Photos and Game Summary: Rams Send Fordham Home with a Loss

Official VCU Game Summary

Score: VCU 1, Fordham 0
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: VCU 11-2-0 (7-0-0 Atlantic 10), Fordham 3-10-2 (1-5-1 A-10)

The short story: Redshirt senior midfielder Emma Kershner‘s 37th minute goal, and a stellar effort from VCU’s back line extended the Rams’ win streak.

QUICK FACTS

• VCU has won seven matches in a row, the longest win streak since the 2018 squad won seven in a row from Sept. 6 through Oct. 4.
• This also extends VCU’s best-ever start to Atlantic 10 play.
• VCU remains in first in the A-10 standings, with a two-game cushion over second-place Dayton and Saint Louis.
• Kershner’s goal was her fourth of the season, and 16th of her VCU career. It was also her seventh game-winner in black and gold.
• Sophomore winger Ella Higgins provided the assist on the goal, her third of the season.
• Senior Emily Charen made her first appearance of the year, playing 60 minutes at right back off the bench.
• VCU’s back line of Natalia Santangelo, Amber DiOrio, Lana Golob, Samantha Ferguson, and Charen held Fordham to just one shot in the match, and without a single shot on goal. This is the fifth clean sheet of the year for VCU and redshirt senior goalkeeper Grace Young.
• VCU held a massive 63%-37% advantage in possession, while outshooting Fordham 20-1, and collecting 11 corner kicks compared to Fordham’s one.
• Earlier this week, VCU checked in at 23 in the latest NCAA RPI rankings.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Junior midfielder Anna Bagley had a dangerous chance in the 13th minute, winning a ball in the midfield and ripping a left-footed shot on goal from the top of the box.
• VCU netted the lone goal of the match in the 37th minute as Higgins turned on a defender and drove in a cross from the right wing for Kershner to take on the half-volley, slotting the ball inside the left post.
• Redshirt senior forward Lyndsey Gutzmer headed an effort on goal in the 65th minute, redirecting a free kick from Kershner.
• In the 82nd minute, Bagley crashed on a rebound from a corner kick, and slashed a shot that deflected off a Fordham defender, then off the left post for a corner kick. DiOrio headed a shot over the bar on the ensuing set piece.
• Senior forward Aileen Guthrie nearly doubled the lead in the final minute, racing to a 50-50 ball before the charging Fordham goalkeeper, and floating a shot on the empty net that was cleared off the line by a Ram defender.

UP NEXT
VCU hits the road for a pair of A-10 matches, starting at La Salle on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. in Philadelphia. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.