Score: (RV) VCU 2, Old Dominion 0
Location: Norfolk, Va. (ODU Soccer Complex)
Records: (RV) VCU 4-2-1, Old Dominion 2-3-1
 
The short story: Goals from senior center back Zeron Sewell and redshirt freshman forward Ethan Manheim gave the Rams their third road win of the season.
 
QUICK FACTS

• Sewell's converted penalty was the second goal of his career, and the first since his freshman season in 2017.
• Manheim's tally was his first of the season and the third of his career.
• Freshman midfielder Damian Gallegos, who assisted Manheim's goal, is now second on the team with six points this season.
• Redshirt freshman goalkeeper John Ermini entered the game for an injured Mario Sequeira in the fourth minute, and made five saves to preserve the clean sheet and notch his third career win in goal.
• VCU held an 8-6 advantage in shots at halftime, but ODU out-shot the Rams 11-4 in the second half.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Senior forward Biska Biyombo was a constant scoring threat in the first half, racking up four shots. In the sixth minute, he collected a rebound from Manheim's saved shot, and sent his own shot attempt just over the bar. Six minutes later, he headed a cross towards goal that also sailed high.
• Redshirt junior midfielder Pierre Fiorre Mane took a long-range effort from about 30 yards in the 19th minute that swerved just over the goal.
• Ermini did well to come off his line in the 31st minute, cutting down the angle and saving an ODU shot inside the box.
• Sewell put the Rams on the board first in the 52nd minute, slotting home a penalty kick after senior forward Jared Greene was fouled in the box.
• The Jamaican center back then contributed on the other end of the field in the 60th minute, blocking a shot in a flurry of ODU scoring chances.
• Ermini had his biggest moment of the match in the 85th minute as the Monarchs pushed for an equalizer. He made multiple saves from an ODU free kick swung into the box, including getting off the ground quickly to dive backwards and fully extend to punch a ball away.
• Manheim sealed the game for VCU four minutes later, collecting the rebound from Gallegos' low, stinging shot and calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to the near post.

QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVE GIFFARD
"It was a good grind-out result on a super quick turnaround. We gave a lot in Rhode Island on Saturday night, especially after going down a man. Tonight we showed a lot of grit and toughness, and guys came into the game and stepped up. Proud of the guys for their resolve and we move on to the weekend."
  
UP NEXT
The Rams play their first home Atlantic 10 match of 2021 on Saturday, Sept. 25 when they host Dayton at 7 p.m. from Sports Backers Stadium. Every home match and A-10 match is streamed on ESPN+. For more information on VCU Men's Soccer tickets, click here.