Score: (RV) VCU 2, La Salle 1 (2OT)
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. (McCarthy Stadium)
Records: (RV) VCU 6-3-1 (2-1-0 Atlantic 10), La Salle 3-7-0, (0-3-0 A-10)
 
The short story: Sophomore midfielder Celio Pompeu set up freshman midfielder Damian Gallegos to score the game-winning goal deep into the second overtime, the Rams' second straight win in conference play.
 
QUICK FACTS

• Gallegos' goal and Pompeu's assist were each their third of the season. The pair are tied for the team lead with nine points apiece this year. The goal was the first game-winning tally of Gallegos' collegiate career.
• VCU got on the board early through redshirt freshman forward Ethan Manheim, who scored on senior defender Simon Fitch's free kick. Both players now have two goals and two assists for six points on the season.
• With a 2-1-0 mark in A-10 games, the Rams are tied for third in the conference standings with six points.
• Freshman goalkeeper Cory Taylor made his collegiate debut by playing every minute in goal, making two saves for his first career win.
• The Rams outshot the Explorers 12-9, including a 6-3 margin in shots on goal. Pompeu had a game-high three shots.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU started the game on the front foot with a goal in the sixth minute. Fitch took a free kick from just inside his own half, floating a ball over the back line that took a big bounce for Manheim to run onto and head past the charging La Salle goalkeeper.
• Pompeu and Manheim played off each other down the left wing in the 13th minute, setting up a cross from Pompeu that was deflected out to the top of the box. There, redshirt junior midfielder Pierre Fiorre Mane ripped a first-time shot that went just over the bar.
• Pompeu played another dangerous cross two minutes later, getting to the end line before his service caromed off several bodies and out over the end line.
• La Salle equalized in the 17th minute, with Scott Beeks playing a through ball to Junior Nare, who scored from inside the box.
• Taylor had his best save of the night in the 35th minute, diving fully extended to his right to parry a shot away after the Explorers had created a shot opportunity from a corner kick.
• Gallegos got a foot on a ball from Mane in the 52nd minute, redirecting it on goal to force a save.
• Senior midfielder Oquin Robinson played a ball over the top for freshman midfielder William Hitchcock in the 59th minute, but Hitchcock's sharp-angle shot was smothered by Explorers keeper Carlos Mora.
• After a physical, stretched-out run of play in the second half, VCU had a flurry of four shots in the final 10 minutes of regulation in search of a winner. Pompeu beat a defender in the 80th minute, cutting in and forcing a save at the near post. In the 84th, senior forward Biska Biyombo fired a shot from the corner of the box that forced a diving save. Two minutes later, Pompeu dribbled past a defender and sent his shot just wide of the far post.
• It was Pompeu down the left again that set up the game's winning goal in the 109th minute, as he froze a defender and played a ball with the outside of his right foot for Gallegos, who ran into the box unmarked, took a controlling touch with his right, and then fired a shot off the left post and in to end the game.

 
QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVE GIFFARD
"So proud of the boys for grinding out three points here. For me, this is the most difficult place in the country to play, and every time we come it's the same type of game. Tiny turf field, super hardworking, tough kids, well organized teams who fight for every ball and every scrap, every minute of the game.
 
With several guys out, we had guys step in and do a great job and help us get the tough road win in the A-10. I was especially happy for Cory in his first college game, picking up the win and making the plays he had to in goal."
 
UP NEXT
The Rams host Duquesne for an Atlantic 10 match Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. from Sports Backers Stadium. Every home match is broadcast on ESPN+.