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Virginia Commonwealth University

#LetsGoVCU
William Hitchcock Cover
2
Winner VCU VCU (2-1-1, 0-0-0)
0
Charlotte CLT (2-2-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
VCU VCU
(2-1-1, 0-0-0)
2
Final
0
Charlotte CLT
(2-2-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
VCU VCU 1 1 2
Charlotte CLT 0 0 0

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

RAMS TOP RV/#24 CHARLOTTE ON THE ROAD, 2-0

Score: RV/#22 VCU 2, RV/#24 Charlotte 0
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (Transamerica Field)
Records: RV/#22 VCU 2-1-1, RV/#24 Charlotte 2-2-0
 
The short story: Goals from freshman midfielder William Hitchcock and sophomore winger Celio Pompeu secured a 2-0 win for the Rams in VCU's fourth straight road match to open the season.
 
QUICK FACTS
  • Every team VCU has played so far this season has been ranked in at least one poll; Charlotte is ranked 24th in the College Soccer News Top 30.
  • Hitchcock is the first Ram to score multiple goals during the 2021 season.
  • Pompeu is the third Ram to notch both a goal and an assist through the first four games of the season.
  • Redshirt freshman midfielder Wladimir Gassant and senior midfielder Oquin Robinson each picked up their first points of the season with assists on the VCU goals, respectively.
  • After combining for a shutout at #7/#6 Wake Forest with John Ermini, senior goalkeeper Mario Sequeira earned his first full shutout of the season after making five saves.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Sequeira was up to the test early, diving low to block a tight-angle shot in the seventh minute.
  • Redshirt freshman forward Ethan Manheim was a threat in the box in the first half, collecting three shots. In the 12th minute, he directed a header towards goal that went just wide. In the 28th, he had another good look at goal that got deflected out for a corner kick.
  • Pompeu forced a save in the 16th minute, collecting a loose ball at the top of the box and firing a shot across goal.
  • Hitchcock opened the scoring in the 37th minute, flicking a header just inside the far post from Gassant's cross from the left wing.
  • The Rams applied pressure early in the second half, with senior forward Biska Biyombo knifing through the 49ers' back line in the 52nd minute and ripping a shot that got deflected for another corner.
  • VCU doubled its lead in the 67th minute. Freshman midfielder Damian Gallegos took a shot that was blocked high in the air. Robinson stepped and played a first-time pass on a bouncing ball to put Pompeu in on goal. From 12 yards out, the Fortaleza, Brazil, native deposited a left-footed finish into the back of the net.
  • The Rams withstood Charlotte's attempts to get back in the game, with Sequeira smothering a free kick in the 90th minute to seal the win.

QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVE GIFFARD
"It was a good bounce-back from a poor performance in Miami last weekend. We were able to train this week and make some improvements that the guys carried over onto the field tonight. We now get into quick turnaround situations the rest of the way so the next few days will be key for us to recover and learn from tonight and prepare."
 
UP NEXT
VCU plays its home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 14 against East Tennessee State at 7 p.m. from Sports Backers Stadium. Every VCU home match is streamed on ESPN+. For more information about VCU Men's Soccer tickets, click here.
 
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