Final Score: VCU 0, Sacred Heart 0 (2 OT)
Location: Sportsbackers Stadium (Richmond, Va.)
Records: VCU 1-2-1, Sacred Heart 1-2-2

The Short Story: It would be a hard fought night in the middle of the pitch for both the VCU Rams and Sacred Heart Pioneers, as the second game of the VCU Invitational showed plenty of heart but no results ending in a draw. Despite solid opportunities from both sides, neither side found the back of the net through the full 110 minutes of play. 

QUICK FACTS

• The Black and Gold outshot the Pioneers in the first half 9-3, with two close shots on goal coming from Megan Dell and Maddi Santo.
• Both teams combined for a total 33 shots on the night, with 17 on net.
• The Rams got an unbelievable save by Brittany Beckwith in double overtime that would have won the game for Sacred Heart. However, she stuck her leg out while lying on the ground, making the save and keeping the game scoreless.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Dell pushed to break the tie in the 13^th minute, striking twice against Pioneers but both shots failed to get in the goal.
• Following a corner kick from VCU junior Amanda Hallejso, Santo had perhaps the best shot for Rams in the first half, but sailed the kick just above the crossbar in 25^th minute.
• VCU continued to control a majority of the first half, however had nothing to show for it going into halftime scoreless.
• Kelly Graves gave the Rams an opportunity to score in the 69^th and 75^th minutes but could not capitalize on chances to break the tie.
• Julia Suarez gave the Rams some juice off the bench, and had a solid try in the 86^th minute from inside the 18-yard box. However, Nicole Sambuco would make the save and keep the score at 0-0.
• After being tied through 90 minutes of play, the game went to a first overtime. The Rams held the upper hand in the final minutes of the first 10, gaining two shots and a corner kick.
• In double overtime, Sacred Heart found some lightning in a bottle and got multiple solid opportunities, highlighted by the sequence with Beckwith making her save. After Audrey Sanderson came out from the 18 to contest a ball and got knocked down, the VCU net was left open. With a made scramble in the 18, the Rams were fortunate to clear the ball and get things under control. VCU's only solid opportunity of the second overtime came with eight seconds to go on a set piece from outside of the 18. 

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU will return to action this Sunday afternoon, September 4, when they face Holy Cross in their final game of the VCU Invitational. The game is slated for 2:30 p.m. at Sportsbackers.