Final Score: VCU 2, Old Dominion 1
Location: ODU Soccer Complex (Norfolk, Va.)
Records: VCU 1-2-0, Old Dominion 1-2-0

The Short Story: The VCU Rams Women's Soccer team put up their first win of the season on Thursday night, as they used two second half goals to take a 2-1 win over the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Natalie Robles and Sarah Gibson each scored their first goals of the season in the win. 

QUICK FACTS 

• Despite Old Dominion holding the advantage in shots in the game, 13-9, VCU put together more opportunities from the corner 5-2. It would be key in the Robles goal in the second half.
• Both Maddi Santo and Amanda Tredway were the only Rams with multiple shots on the night.
• Robles and Gibson each converted their only shots on net for the game.
• Goalkeeper Audrey Sanderson earned her first win of the season, playing all 90 minutes, facing two shots with one save.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU got the first looks out of both squads at the 10 minute and 17 minute marks, as Kelly Graves and Amanda Tredway each got shots toward the net but missed wide. 
• Over a 15-minute span between the 20-minute mark and 35-minute mark, the Rams went without any offensive action. Old Dominion found multiple opportunities with four shots and a corner kick, but could not find the net. 
• The ice would finally break in the 41^st minute, as the Rams caught an unlucky break, with an own goal giving the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.
• Old Dominion would take the 1-0 lead into halftime, but it wouldn't last long.
• As the 49^th minute rolled into the 50^th minute, VCU set up for a corner kick. Amanda Hallesjo set up and sent a ball in the box that would be headed in by Natalie Robles. That would tie things at 1-1.
• The Monarchs almost took the lead back minutes later, as they rang back-to-back shots second apart both off the crossbar, keeping things at 1-1.
• It would be Sarah Gibson, who came off the bench in the 62^nd minute, that would score the go-ahead, game-winning goal as the ball would bounce off an ODU player, and headed in by Gibson for a 2-1 lead.
• The Rams would keep the pressure on through the end of the game, coming up with multiple opportunities in the offensive end of the field, and taking the 2-1 win. 

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU will return to action next Friday, September 2 when they face Sacred Heart in their first game of the VCU Invitational. The game is slated for 7:30 p.m.

COACH ON THE GAME

"Tonight was a strange one for us. We weren't half the team we were last weekend against Northwestern and Arkansas, yet we were able to battle back and get the job done. Our players really got on one another at the half in a productive way and we came out strong in the 2nd half. Natalie had an excellent goal in a time we needed it most and Sarah had a great final effort to put the second one away. Now we get some time to rest up and allow our bodies to recover for next weekend."