Box Score Final Score: VCU 2, Liberty 0
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: VCU: 1-0, Liberty: 0-1

THE SHORT STORY
Redshirt juniors Samantha Jerabek and Lyndsey Gutzmer netted a pair of second-half goals as VCU Women's Soccer defeated Liberty 2-0 in its season-opening match Monday night at Sports Backers Stadium.

QUICK FACTS

• Gutzmer headed in a Jerabek cross in the 60^th minute to open the 2021 scoring for the Rams
• Jerabek converted a penalty kick in the 87^th minute to extend VCU's lead
• VCU outshot Liberty 18-8 in the contest including a 10-2 shot differential in the second half
• The Rams placed six of their shots on goal while the Flames recorded just two of their attempts on target
• VCU improves to 5-4-3 in season opening matches dating back to the 2009 season. The Rams are 3-1 against the flames in their last four matchups

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Rams' backline stifled the Flames offense throughout the entirety of the match. In the 16^th minute, Liberty redshirt junior Lissi Gordon fired a shot from the right side of the box, but VCU goalie Brecht Haakma made a diving save to deflect the attempt off the post.
• The Rams' offense pressured the Flames throughout the first half. Jerabek blasted a pair of shots from the top of the box in the 20^th minute that were narrowly saved by Liberty senior goalkeeper Melody Jayroe.
• VCU's offense broke through early in the second half. Jerabek lofted a cross from the left side and Gutzmer elevated over defenders and struck a header that avoided the outstretched arms of Jayroe.
• Leading by a goal in the 87^th minute, Jerabek waived through defenders and was fouled in the box by Flames senior defender Cora Duininck. The redshirt junior found the back of the net on her first penalty attempt of the season to put the match out of reach.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Rams will be back at Sports Backers Stadium on Thursday night at 5 p.m. against Old Dominion. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.