Photos & Game Summary: VCU Win Final Regular Season Game, Playoff Game Tonight at Dayton

Official VCU Game Summary

Score: VCU 2, Davidson 1 (Game Played 11/1/25
Location: Richmond, Va. / Sports Backers Stadium
Records: VCU (6-5-5, 3-2-3), Davidson (8-6-3, 4-2-2)

THE SHORT STORY
The reigning Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week called game in the 75^th minute for the Rams as Moussa Ndiaye knocked in the game-winner against Davidson. VCU men’s soccer became the first team to beat the Wildcats since Sept. 27, with a score of 2-1, to clinch a berth in the A-10 Tournament.

PITCH SIDE

• Sulaiman Abdul-Mateen scored his fourth goal of the season
• Ndiaye scored his first goal of the season
• Andrey Salmeron picked up his team-leading fourth assist
• VCU outshot Davidson 11-8 with seven shots on goal to the Wildcats’ two
• For the second consecutive game, VCU allowed the fewest shots by a conference opponent and the two shots on goal were the second-fewest conceded all season
• The Rams snapped the Wildcats’ seven-game unbeaten streak
• Forward Deniss Hayes returned from injury, recording 40 minutes
• A total of eight yellow cards were issued in Saturday’s match
• The Rams secured their first home game of the season

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Davidson got on the board early, scoring in the third minute
• In the 13^th minute, Abdul-Mateen evened the score, 1-1, with a powerful header from ten yards out on a service Andrey Salmeron
• Off a free kick, Andres Rodriguez connected with Ndiaye at the top of the goal area, who got a head on the go-ahead goal in the 76^th minute
• Pedro Salmon blocked a last-ditch attempt by the Wildcats in the 85^th minute and the Rams held onto their late lead for the 2-1 victory

QUOTABLE
“I was really proud of the guys tonight for an excellent performance. We gave away a really odd goal a few minutes into the game and then responded so well with maturity. Davidson is a good team who has been on a roll, winning seven in a row before drawing with High Point on Tuesday. It was an important result for us to get for many reasons. That wraps up our spot in the A-10 tournament and guarantees that we will go into selection Sunday at .500 or above. Now, we turn our attention to preparations for Dayton in the opening game of the A-10 Tournament on Friday night in Ohio,” Head Coach Dave Giffard said.

UP NEXT
VCU will advance to the Atlantic 10 Championship for the quarterfinals on Nov. 7. Official seeding and matchups will be announced when tonight’s slate of Atlantic 10 matches conclude. Fans can access A-10’s Championship Central here.