Photos & Game Summary: Rams End Season with a Draw Against George Mason

Official VCU Game Summary

Box Score: VCU 0, RV George Mason 0
Location: Richmond, Va. / Sports Backers Stadium
Records:  VCU (4-6-6, 1-4-2 A-10), George Mason (12-3-1, 6-1-1 A-10)

THE SHORT STORY: The Rams ended their season on a high note, becoming the first Atlantic 10 team to shut out A-10 Regular Season Champion George Mason in 2024. Splitting the points, VCU and George Mason ended with a 0-0 draw.

PITCH SIDE

• The Rams honored 12 seniors ahead of the match; John Ermini, Cory Taylor, Damian Gallegos, Lance Christmas, William Hitchcock, David Hughes, Seni Joseph, Gerardo Castillo, Scott McLeod, Chris Thompson, Nolan Coetzee and Michael Collins
• Ermini closed out his career with his 14^th solo clean sheet
• With three saves in his final game, Ermini took sole possession of seventh all-time with 186 career saves
• Freshman forward Deniss Hayes played a career high 38 minutes, recording a shot on goal
• Mouhamed Tucker, Hayato Miyano and Mohammed Ibrahim each added a pair of shots and one on goal
• The Rams led possession with control of the ball for 55% of the match
• Defensively, VCU led the match with five blocked shots
• VCU concluded its season with a 4-6-6 overall record
• VCU is the first Atlantic 10 opponent to shut out George Mason in 2024
• The Rams were the first opponent to fight to a draw with a 12-win GM team, who clinched the A-10 regular season title with the point

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Patriots opened the contest with intensity ripping the first shot of the match in the second minute and drawing Ermini’s first save in just the sixth minute
• Hayes took his first career shot in the 43^rd minute, an unbelievable redirection off the heel, but Patriots goalkeeper Jaume Salvado was able to pull it into his chest
• Tucker sent a bullet from the left corner of the penalty box, but Salvado managed to punch it out for the save
• The Rams didn’t allow GM to attempt another shot after the 62^nd minute
• Ending in a scoreless tie, VCU concluded its season with an additional point, 0-0

QUOTABLE
“Just as it’s been all season long, I leave the game tonight so proud of the guys. They played so well, with intensity, character and desire. When you have trouble scoring goals, every detail stands out so much more. The future, though, is super bright. Not just for the young men leaving us who will be going on to great things either inside or outside of the game, but for the guys who return. We will get back to work and there will be many players here who will take a big step this off-season and there will be very strong additions to the group as always. I love the culture and the character in this group of players. We will be back and better for this experience.” —Head Coach Dave Giffard