PHOTOS & GAME SUMMARY: Rams Fall to FIU

Official VCU Game Summary

Score: Florida International 1, VCU 0
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: VCU 0-5-4, FIU 5-3

The short story: It was an even match for much of the contest, however, an FIU goal in the 46^th minute was enough to secure a victory for the visiting Panthers.

QUICK FACTS

• Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper John Ermini played all 90 minutes in net, coming up with two key second half saves to keep the game close
• Freshman forward Papa Toure led the Rams’ offensive effort with three shots. Sophomore midfielder Philip Klomp got off two shots of his own
• Freshman defender Hayato Miyano and freshman midfielder Graham Dougald each saw their first game action of the season
• FIU only outshot the Rams by a count of 3-2 in shots on goal despite outshooting VCU 23-12 in the match

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half came and went with limited great scoring opportunities for either side. The Panthers had eight shots in the opening half to VCU’s three
• FIU came out of the halftime locker room with a quick offensive strike, culminating in the lone goal of the game by Simon Afrifa in the 46^th minute
• The Rams picked up their attack after surrendering the early second half goal as VCU recorded nine of its 12 shot attempts in the second half
• VCU had both shots on goal following FIU’s early second half goal but the Rams were unable to tie to the game

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE GIFFARD

“We certainly didn’t deserve to lose the game tonight. A little bit of good fortune for them and bad fortune for us in the way the ball bounced. Good response to getting into the mid-week rhythm, an adjustment from last week when it was our first time playing three games in seven days, and so I was really pleased with the guys for that. We had a little run of time there in the first half where we had to absorb and just kind of gutted through that. Then, the rest of the game kind of went how we wanted it to go. Guys are learning, and we got two more freshman into their first minutes, and I thought both of those guys performed well. Guys are just growing into the season and coming along, against another top-25 type team, the margins are very small.  We’re getting into the positions where we control the game more and more as we go, but some cutting edge in the final third is still needing to occur. But we looked at some things yesterday with our movements and runs in the box, and I was proud of the guys who were in those positions and responded and got to good spots. Sometimes the ball did not arrive, sometimes it wasn’t quite accurate, sometimes the keeper saved it, and sometimes they missed, but we’re getting to positions where we can create more high-percentage chances, not as often as we can or we’re going to be capable of long-term, but much more than a week ago, and way, way more than two weeks ago. Pleased with the performance, just not with the result. But performances over time, the game is honest. If you keep doing the things you need to do, the results will come the way we need it. ”

UP NEXT

The Black and Gold resume their A-10 Conference slate on Saturday, Oct. 1 when they play host to Rhode Island.  Kickoff time is at 7 p.m. and it will be streamed live on ESPN+.