The Basics

• Score: VCU 0, Maryland 1 
• Records: VCU (4-7-1), MD (4-6-2) 
• The Short Story: Facing the national runner-up on the road is difficult enough, facing them in that situation playing a man down for 75 minutes takes that to another level of difficult. That's exactly what the VCU men's soccer team did on Wednesday night in their non-conference finale, battling Maryland to the end, but falling just short, 1-0, with the lone goal of the game in the 16th minute coming on a penalty kick. 

How it Happened:

• Maryland's goal came in the 16^th minute when VCU's Garrett Cyprus was given a red card, allowing Mael Corboz to convert on the penalty kick.
• Cyprus' dismissal brought in freshman goalkeeper Pierre Gardan. The native of Lorient, France turned in about as good of a performance as you could hope for with a backup goalie, facing 14 shots in relief, only conceding the penalty kick.
• In total, Maryland fired 16 shots at VCU tonight, compared to the Rams' four.
• Both of VCU's chances came in the first half, with Brandon Eaton and Juan Fajardo Ortiz recording the Rams' shots on goal.

Quotable:

• "To play 70 minutes down a man after giving up a PK and a red card on the same play is tough to swallow. With that being said, our guys worked hard and kept us in a position to pinch the game all the way until the final whistle. What we got out of the game for the final 70 minutes was a training exercise on how to play down a man. Not exactly what we came here to get." -Head coach Dave Giffard.

Up Next:

• The Rams will be facing Atlantic 10 foes the rest of the way. This Saturday, October 11 they will travel to Massachusetts to play the Minutemen for an afternoon match. That game will be followed to two consecutive home games; the first coming on Friday, October 17 against Fordham and the second will be Sunday, October 19 against La Salle. The Friday match is the first in a double-header with the women's soccer team, and it will start at 5 pm. The game on Sunday against the Explorers will kickoff at 1 pm