The Basics

• Score: VCU 1, CSU Bakersfield 1  
• Records: VCU (3-3-1), CSUB (4-1-1)
• The Short Story: Continuing a long trip away from home, the VCU men's soccer team earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw with a highly-talented CSU Bakersfield. Sophomore Dakota Barnathan tallied his first goal of the year for the Rams.  

How it Happened:

• Barnathan's first goal of the season came early on, when he headed it in to put his team up 1-0. His opportunity came from a rebound off of a VCU corner kick. Mario Herrera Meraz was credited with the assist.
• The Road Runners' Simon Doherty evened the score in the 81^st minute after a teammate's cross found him just in front of the box.
• Even though VCU drew first blood, CSUB had many more offensive opportunities. The Rams were outshot to the tune of 21-10, and registered three shots on goal to CSUB's seven.

Quotable

• "This is one of the more difficult places in the country to come and play. The heat, the altitude and the travel combine to make it very challenging, but that is why we came." - Head Coach Dave Giffard
• "Credit to Bakersfield, I thought they are a good team, who played well and had their chances to win the game.  The first goal came a little too easy for us and then we relaxed and in the 2nd half we hit the wall. We did rally late and have some great chances to finish the game, but in the end we did well to come out with a point." - Head Coach Dave Giffard

Up Next:

• VCU's bear of a schedule will continue this Sunday when the Rams take on the fourth-ranked team in the country, the New Mexico Lobos. Next Friday, September 26 they'll return home after a lengthy road trip to face Old Dominion at Sports Backers Stadium. After the Monarchs,  VCU will hit the road and face #5 Notre Dame in South Bend.