September 6, 2009

VCU DEFEATS ALBANY, 2-1, TO CAPTURE COASTAL CAROLINA INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Four Rams named to All-Tournament team; Blandon, Rodriguez receive MVP honors

Box Score  

CONWAY, S.C. – Romario Blandon (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) found the back of the net for the second straight game to lead Virginia Commonwealth University to a 2-1 win against the University at Albany on Sunday. 

With the victory, VCU captured the Coastal Carolina University/adidas Invitational championship after winning both of its games in the four-team tournament. 

VCU (2-0) pressured the Albany defense the entire game, outshooting the Great Danes 18-6 including a 9-3 advantage in each half.

Blandon, who posted a career high six shots with five on goal, put the Rams on top 1-0 with an unassisted strike 30-yards out from the left side in the 23rd minute.

VCU’s Thomas Huepper (Olpe, Germany) added an insurance goal with a 25-yard shot from center at 43:17 to give the Rams a 2-0 lead at the break.

The Black & Gold offense pressured again to start the second half.  Otavio De Luca (Sao Paulo, Brazil) came off the bench and registered a pair of shots on goal, but Albany goalkeeper Adrian Foncette, who finished with seven saves, corralled each attempt.

Albany got on the board in the 57th minute when Bo Jelovac found reserve David Hawksworth with a crosser to pull the Great Danes within a goal.

The VCU defense, which drew Albany (0-2-1) offside on five occasions, held strong the remainder of the game, surrendering just two shots in the final 30 minutes of regulation.

Gabriel Rodriguez (Guatemala City, Mexico) made three saves and picked up his second-straight win in goal for VCU.

Blandon was named Offensive MVP after registering a pair of goals and an assist with 10 shots (six on goal), while Rodriguez garnered Defensive MVP honors after allowing just one goal with eight saves.

James Neighbour (Liphook, England) and Carlos Picado (San Jose, Costa Rica) were also named to the All-Tournament team following standout performances in the Rams’ two matches this weekend.

VCU, which opened the season with back-to-back victories for the second time in the last three years, returns to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 11 for a 7 p.m. road match at Seton Hall.