RAMS JUMP ON SAINT JOSEPH’S EARLY, RECORD 4-1 WIN
9-4-09
Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa – Virginia Commonwealth University defeated Saint Joseph’s, 4-1, Friday at Buckley Field in the team’s second game of the season.

The Rams found early opportunities to score in the contest and managed to convert.

VCU’s first chance came just over two minutes into the contest off of their second penalty corner.  Hannah Lyerly (Williamsburg, Va.) pulled the ball out to Rachel Krumm(Norfolk, Va.), and after Krumm’s initial shot ricocheted off the Hawks’ keeper, Lyerly picked up the ball and flicked it into the goal.

Five minutes later, the Rams found themselves within striking distance once again. Lyerly dribbled into the left side of the circle and found Marle van Dessel (Oisterwijk, Netherlands), who scored from the top of the arc, to push the VCU lead to 2-0.

The Hawks didn’t go away quietly, however. Just 3:13 into the second half, Hawks’ forward Hannah Rogers, fired a ball past VCU freshmen keeper Megan Botteri( Mount Bethal, Pa.). It would prove to be Botteri’s only goal allowed during the contest, as the rookie netminder racked up nine saves.

“In the second half we controlled the flow of the game by having good stick to stick passes,” said VCU Head Coach Kelly McQuade.

The Rams were able to take control of the field throughout the second half, with freshman Kelsey Scherrer (Chesapeake, Va.) scoring two goals to seal the win for the Rams.

 “Seeing some of our forwards getting their first career goals was a good kick-start to build a powerful attacking line,” said McQuade.

The Rams will return to action on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 at 1 p.m., when they meet the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.