VCU Rams

September 21, 2008

VCU SCORES TWICE IN THE SECOND HALF TO BEAT NAVY, 3-1
Rams win fourth straight to even record at 4-4

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Despite facing one of the top goalkeepers in the Patriot League, the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team maintained its recent offensive prowess on Sunday. The Rams scored a 3-1 victory over Navy at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility, giving them four consecutive wins. With the win, VCU improved to 4-4 heading into conference play. Navy is now 5-3-1.

After a scoreless 22 minutes to open the match, the Rams and the Midshipmen exchanged goals in a four-minute span. Junior June Hartman (Virginia Beach, Va.) got the Rams on the scoreboard first, taking a cross from senior Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo.) and heading it in from the right side in the 22nd minute. Navy answered in the 26th minute when CiAnna Weikle took a cross from Brittany White and put it in near the left post.

The Rams regained the lead four minutes into the second half with a goal by sophomore Laurel Pastor (Springfield, Va.). Senior Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) blasted a ball from long-range and Pastor beat Navy goalkeeper Lizzie Barnes to the right side for her third goal in as many games. Pastor has eight points in the Rams’ past three contests.

Flanagan provided the Rams with an insurance goal in the 78th minute. Power found Flanagan in the middle of the box, and Flanagan finished the play with a left-footed strike to beat Barnes to the right side of the goal. With three points on Sunday, Flanagan has recorded eight points in the Rams’ last two outings. Power’s two assists against Navy give her a team-leading 17 points for the season, all in the last four matches.

Senior goalkeeper Kali Van Covern (Waynesboro, Va.), who made her first career start on Friday against Wofford, picked up her second consecutive win in the net. Her back line aided her by limiting the Midshipmen to just four shots.

After the Rams secured a two-goal lead with less than 12 minutes left in the match, the only drama remaining was a red card against the VCU bench. It was the Rams’ first red card of the season, and the first since Nov. 1, 2007.

VCU opens CAA competition Friday evening when it hosts Towson. The Rams and Tigers kick off at 7:00 p.m.