Richmond, Va. – VCU’s final home soccer match of the season did not end the way they want it to as the Rams were defeated by in-state foe, the William & Mary Tribe 2-0.
The first half saw the Rams take on the role of aggressor as they possessed the ball for the majority of the match. Both teams took seven shots, VCU was able to register three shots on goal to the Tribe’s two. William Eskay scored at the first goal of the match on an assist from his brother Jackson Eskay at the 12th minute. Rams Midfielder, Jorge Herranz, had a couple of opportunities to put the Rams on the board but was unsuccessful. Herranz put the ball past William and Mary goalkeeper, Mac Phillips, with a chip shot at the 25th minute however a William & Mary defenseman sprinted back and cleared the ball before the ball entered the goal. His second opportunity came up minutes later as he entered the box and ripped a shot from 15 feet out, but Mac Phillips blocked the shot.
The Rams came out in the second half lacking the intensity that they had in the first half as the Tribe was able to put up a couple of shot attempts against the Rams. Ryder Bell sealed the deal at the 77th minute as he scored William and Mary’s second goal of the match off an assist from Marcell Berry. The Rams came right back and looked to score on the next possession, but were unable to as Dakota Barnathan and Jorge Herranz had their shots blocked. William & Mary from there was able to let the clock run to end the game and send the VCU seniors off with their home turf with their final loss.
VCU falls to 4-9-4 this season while William & Mary improves to 7-7-2 this season. The Rams will enjoy nine days off before traveling to Dayton, Ohio to face the Dayton Flyers in their regular season finale on November 7th.
