Final Score: Northwestern 1, VCU 0 (Overtime)
Location: University Park at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Va.)
Records:  Northwestern 1-0-0, VCU 0-1-0 

The Short Story: The VCU Rams started off their season on a heartbreaking note Friday night, as they squarted off against the Northwestern Wildcats. It took more than two 45 minute periods to decide a winner, as eight minutes into overtime, NU's Brenna Lovera found the back of the net from 10 yards away to give Northwestern the 1-0 win over the Black and Gold. 

QUICK FACTS 

• With 10 total shots for the game, the Rams put up seven of those in the second half but were unable to find twine.
• VCU did a great job controlling their offensive game, not recording an offside all match.
• Northwestern put multiple chances on net, with six on goal compared to VCU's one. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Alyssa Tallent put up the first solid shot on net for the Rams just over 13 minutes into the first half, sending a shot wide of the net. 
• Over a five-minute span in between the 32^nd and 37^th minute, the Rams put on the pressure with multiple opportunities. Shots from Kelly Graves and Amanda Hallesjo went high and wide, while they also had a corner kick opportunity.
• After a scoreless first half, VCU came out flying in the second half with back-to-back shots from Amanda Tredway and Susanna Friedrichs.
• In the 69^th minute, Julia Suarez had a solid opportunity to put the Rams ahead, but her shot was saved by NU goalkeeper Lauren Clem.
• With time winding down in regulation, Graves had another two opportunities in the 86^th and 87^th minutes in the game. Both shots were blocked before getting to the net.
• With play scoreless after 90 minutes, it only took eight minutes into overtime for things to come to an end. Northwestern got the ball inside the 18-yard box, and Brenna Lovera smacked a goal past Audrey Sanderson to give the Wildcats a 1-0 win.

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU will return to action this Sunday, August 21 when they play their second slated game in the JMU Invitational. The Rams will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks with an 11:30 a.m. kickoff.

COACH MARTIN ON THE MATCH

"I thought we fought hard tonight and got a bit unlucky at the end not to come away with anything. Northwestern is a very strong team and it was a good early test for us. I told our players after the game that there are a lot of positives to take away from tonight and we are a team that will have a strong season based on what we saw tonight. Unfortunately, tonight we just didn't have quite enough."