Virginia Commonwealth University

Score: VCU 3, Dayton 1
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: VCU 10-2-0 (6-0-0 Atlantic 10), Dayton 7-5-2, (4-2-0 A-10)
 
The short story: Three different Rams found the back of the net as VCU dominated Dayton for its sixth straight win to open Atlantic 10 play.
 
QUICK FACTS

• This is VCU's longest win streak since the 2018 squad had streaks of both six and seven straight wins.
• This is also the best start to conference play for the Rams since they joined the Atlantic 10 at the start of the 2012 season.
• Senior defender Lana Golob converted a penalty for her third goal of the season, a career high.
• Redshirt seniors Lyndsey Gutzmer and Samantha Jerabek combined for a pair of goals, with each assisting the other. The two are tied for the team lead with five assists apiece this season, while Jerabek leads the Rams with four goals and 13 points.
• Possession was split 50%-50% in the match, but VCU held a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal.
• At 6-0-0 in conference play, the Rams are alone on top of the A-10 standings. Dayton, Richmond, and Saint Louis are all tied for second at 4-2-0.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Rams threatened the goal right out of the gates. Gutzmer intercepted a ball in the attacking third in the fourth minute, then combined with graduate forward Bri Kropinack to set up a shot for redshirt senior midfielder Emma Kershner, whose effort went over the bar.
• Jerabek won a ball at the corner of the box three minutes later, cutting in on her right foot to fire a dangerous shot that forced a save.
• Golob drew a foul inside the box in the 11th minute as the Rams took a corner kick. The Slovenian center back then slotted the penalty home in the bottom corner as Dayton goalkeeper Madelyn Dewy dove the wrong way.
• The Rams doubled their lead in the 26th minute, as Jerabek cut back inside a defender along the left wing and delivered a cross to the back post, where Gutzmer headed in her second goal of the season over Dewey.
• Gutzmer returned the favor in the 65th minute, racing past two Flyers defenders along the right wing, and rolling a ball across the six-yard box for Jerabek to deposit in the back of the net.
• Dayton pulled a goal back in the 69th minute, as Laney Huber set up Alicia Donley on a breakaway.

 
UP NEXT
The Rams host A-10 foe Fordham at Sports Backers on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Every home match is streamed on ESPN+. Thursday is a Pink Game in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. For more information on VCU Women's Soccer tickets, click here.