Photos & Game Summary: Rams Win in Dramatic Fashion at Home Opener

Official VCU Game Summary

Score: VCU 3, Old Dominion 1
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: VCU 2-0-0, Old Dominion 1-1-0

The short story: VCU broke through with three goals in the final nine minutes, including a go-ahead score by sophomore Andrey Salmeron in the 84^th minute as the Rams stunned Old Dominion Monday night at Sports Backers Stadium.

QUOTABLE
“A good performance and another huge three points. In the first half, we controlled so much of the game, but we didn’t do as well in the final third as we will need to in these types of games. After halftime the game became much more physical and we lost a bit of our control, but the game also started to stretch a bit. We made a series of mistakes and gave them a goal, but the fellas showed really strong resolve and kept going and found a way. Once we got the first, the momentum really started to build and we found more clear-cut chances and finished with three. For the second time early in the season we responded very well to giving away a goal against the run of play and found a way in the end. Also, for the second time in as many games we conceded zero corners which speaks volumes to the team defending.” – VCU Coach Dave Giffard

PITCH SIDE

• VCU goals: Papa Toure (’81, ’89), Salmeron (’84)
• The Rams outshot the Monarchs 18-4 but faced a 1-0 deficit until VCU finally took command down the stretch
• The Black and Gold owned a 12-0 advantage corners
• VCU dominated possession. VCU limited Old Dominion to just six percent possession in its final third

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU threatened time and again throughout the evening, but was unable find the back of the net for 80 minutes. That all changed in a blink when Papa Toure curled an 81^st-minute free kick inside the near post from 20 yards
• Salmeron punched VCU into the lead three minutes later when he gathered a deflection just outside the box and hammered a ball into the upper right corner
• Toure added an insurance score on a penalty kick in the 89^th minute
• VCU outshot the Monarchs 6-1 in the first half, but the two teams battled to a scoreless halftime tie. ODU’s chances were limited throughout, but the Monarchs vaulted in front on a score by Michael Eberle in the 58th

NEXT UP
VCU will return to Sports Backers on Saturday, Aug. 31 when it hosts High Point at 7 p.m.