Final Score: Stetson 2, VCU 1 (Overtime)
Location: Sportsbackers Stadium (Richmond, Va.)
Records: VCU 0-1-0, Stetson 1-0-0

The Short Story: The VCU Rams dominated over 99 minutes worth of soccer on Friday night, taking 21 shots over that span. However, it would be the extra 48 seconds that Stetson would sneak in two goals over two halves and an overtime to sneak out a win over the Black and Gold by a final of 2-1. The game-winning goal would come from Gabriel Diniz with a long assist from Luke Ferreira, who finished with a goal and assist. 

QUICK FACTS

• Newcomer Gerald Vargas would snipe his first goal for VCU toward the end of the first half, with Steven Dal Molin getting the assist.
• VCU took 13 shots in the first half, along with a total of 13 corner kicks throughout the game.
• Along with Vargas, both Fortia Munts and Ryo Shimazaki played strong games, combining for nine shots, five of them on net.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU went down early in the 13^th minute, as Stetson got a goal from Luke Ferreira, as Gianluca Carbone sent a low ball into the 18-yard box. Ferreira made a strong run through toward the six yard box, getting his foot on the ball and sliding it though the legs of VCU keeper Pierre Gardan on the one-timer. The score would put the Hatters up 1-0.
• Throughout the first half, the Rams would pepper Stetson with shots and corner kicks to no avail.
• The Black and Gold would break through with a game-tying goal just before halftime in the 42^nd minute, as Steve Dal Molin sent a ball across into the 18-yard box. Running toward the middle of the box was Gerald Vargas, who made a strike from 16 yards out, sniping the right side of the net for his first goal of the season. The goal would tie things at 1-1.
• In the 69^th minute, the Rams got one of their best opportunities of the night, as Stetson fell asleep on defense and allowed Luc Fatton to slide behind them for a breakaway. However, Stetson goalkeeper Paul Ladwig made multiple saves to stop Fatton on the break, keeping things square at 1-1.
• The Rams other solid opportunity came when Munts took a left-footed shot from outside of the 18-yard box in the 86^th minute. With Ladwig standing still in the net, the ball would ring off of the far post and bounce out.
• Tied through 90 minutes, the game went to overtime. With 12 seconds remaining in the first overtime, as Diniz found a long pass from Ferreira and watched it bounce. VCU did the same, as Diniz was able to strike the ball on the down bounce and slide the ball past Gardan for the game-winner.

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU will return to action this Sunday, August 28 when they return home to Sportsbackers Stadium to take on UNLV at 7 p.m.

COACH ON THE MATCH

"Sometimes, soccer can be a cruel game. We had some really good things that we did tonight, and we only conceded four shots through 100 minutes. In addition, we took 21 shots and hit a few posts, missed a few 1v1's and still got the goal we needed. The lesson I thought we had to learn from tonight was the few times we relaxed defensively they got right into good spots and put the ball into dangerous areas. On the night, three shots on goal resulted in two goals and that isn't good enough. We also have to continue to improve in the final third, but I know that will come in time. There is a ton of potential in this team, but we have some work to do to get where we need to go."