VCU, Longwood play to a draw
By: Jason Boleman
Thursday night the VCU Women’s Soccer team closed out their non-conference schedule with a home game against the Longwood Lancers. VCU was 4-2 going into this game, coming off of a road win against UNC Greensboro, while Longwood came into Richmond with a respectable 5-3 record, but had dropped their most recent game against UMBC.
At the start VCU dominated possession, but it was Longwood that struck first with a goal in the 23’ by freshman Emily Mothersbaugh, her second goal of the season. From that point on, Longwood dominated possession throughout the half, with VCU goalie Audrey Sanderson making highlight-reel worthy saves to preserve the deficit.
VCU got on the board in the second half with a goal in the 63’ by redshirt sophomore Tori Browne, her second of the season. Browne capitalized on a rise in intensity by the Rams and was able to score on a VCU breakaway. From then on, both teams played spirited defense, with many well defended breakaways and close shots by both teams. In the end, the defensive struggle lasted through both extra time periods, as despite a fast pace in extra time neither team was able to get on the board after Browne’s goal.
The draw ends a three-game home winning streak for the VCU Rams (4-2-1), as they now look to begin the A10 conference schedule at Sports Backers Stadium on September 21st against Dayton. Longwood (5-3-1) faces their first in conference opponent on September 23rd when they face High Point.
