Final Score: Arkansas 2, VCU 1
Location: University Park at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Va.)
Records:  Arkansas 3-0-0, VCU 0-2-0 

The Short Story: After a first half goal from junior Amanda Hallesjo, the VCU Rams suffered a second half setback. The Black and Gold surrendered two second-half goals to the Arkansas Razorbacks to give them a 2-1 loss in their final game of the JMU Invitational. 

QUICK FACTS 

• The Rams found more opportunities around the 18-yard box, having three solid shots on net, totaling seven shots on the game.
• Megan Dell contributed four of the team's seven shots, putting two on net.
• Arkansas controlled the ball in the offensive end on multiple occasions, having 13 corner kick opportunities throughout the match, nine of which came in the second half.
• VCU had four corner opportunities, all coming in the first half. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Arkansas put the pressure on early with two corner kicks in the first two minutes of the match. However, the Rams were able to hold strong defensively.  
• It would be the Black and Gold to strike first in the 16^th minute, as a corner kick opportunity would be converted by Amanda Hallesjo olympico style. Her corner kick would curve in the net over the goalie, giving VCU a 1-0 lead.
• Megan Dell had two great opportunities in the first half, first with a shot saved by Arkansas Goalkeeper Cameron Carter, and second on a header that went wide of the net.
• The Rams ran out of time in the end of the first half, putting together solid corner opportunities but could not convert before the 45 minute horn.
• Leading 1-0 at the half, the Rams came out flying with the first chance as Megan Dell sent a shot wide of the net.
• The Razorbacks would strike back in the 57^th minute, as they were able to slip one past goalie Ryan Jones to tie things at 1-1.
• After a yellow card by Amanda Tredway in the 78^th minute, it set up a free kick 45 yards out for Arkansas. As the kick came toward the net, Kayla McKeon flicked a header past Jones to give the Razorbacks a 2-1 lead.
• The Rams last solid opportunity came in the 82^nd minute, as Maddi Santo sent a shot wide of the net.

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU will return to action this Thursday, August 25 when they travel to Old Dominion. The match will begin at 7 p.m. 

COACH ON THE MATCH

"I'm really proud of our efforts today. Arkansas plays an extremely direct version of soccer full of long ball after long ball and flip throws into the box and we withstood the pressure until late in the second half. The two goals we gave up were highly preventable, but we are a team still learning and growing and mistakes will be made. As long as we learn from our mistakes as to not repeat them, we will be in a great place come conference time."