Final Score: VCU 4, Holy Cross 1
Location: Sports Backers Stadium (Richmond, Va.)
Records: VCU 2-2-1, Holy Cross 1-3-1 

The Short Story: Sunday soccer brought out a scoring explosion from the VCU Rams, as three first-half goals were enough to defeat the Holy Cross Crusaders by a final score of 4-1 in the final game of the VCU Invitational. Thanks to solid all-around defense, freshman Susanna Friedrichs was named All-Defensive MVP for the tournament, while teammates Kelly Graves and Brittany Beckwith were named to the All-Tournament teams.

QUICK FACTS 

• All four VCU goals were the first of the season for each player (Suarez, Dell, Santo, Tredway).
• VCU outshot Holy Cross 14-4 in the first half, ending with a 20-9 disparity in the category.
• The Black and Gold also showed their offensive prowess by having seven corner kick opportunities, while Holy Cross only had three.
• Goalkeeper Audrey Sanderson earned her second win of the season, giving up one goal in 45 minutes of work (first half only). 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU got the scoring started early, with a penalty kick opportunity in the fifth minute. It would be Julia Suarez that would knock it home for her first goal of the season, putting the Rams up 1-0. 
• Controlling the play through most of the first half, it appeared VCU put home their second goal courtesy of Megan Dell in the 8^th minute. However, the Rams were called for offsides and the goal was called off.
• The second goal would eventually come for VCU in the 24^th minute, as Amanda Tredway found the back of the net with an upper 90 goal to put the Rams up 2-0. The goal would mark the first goal of her career.
• Amanda Hallesjo would have a solid try in front of the net in the 32^nd minute, keeping the pressure in the Holy Cross defensive end.
• Dell would eventually find her first goal of the season in the 35^th minute. Rachel Hardy would rip a one-timer off the crossbar, which came straight down to the foot of Dell, who tapped the ball home to put the score to 3-0.
• Just before the half in the 42^nd minute, Holy Cross would grab a goal courtesy of Kara Shaw, who kept a play going off a throw in from Christina Napolitano. As goalie Audrey Sanderson charged the ball, she could not keep a firm grip on the ball and allowed Shaw to tap the ball into the net for the Crusaders.
• Both teams would have a slow start to the second half, recording just one shot apiece. However, it would be in the 61^st minute when Maddi Santo would knock home a rebound off the goalie for her first goal of the season, putting the Rams up 4-1. That score would remain all the way through the final horn after the full 90 minutes. 

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU will return to action this Thursday, September 8 when they return home to Sportsbackers Stadium to take on the William & Mary Tribe. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.