Score: (RV) VCU 2, Dayton 0
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: (RV) VCU 5-2-1 (1-1-0 Atlantic 10), Dayton 3-4-2 (0-1-0 A-10)
 
The short story: Goals from seniors Simon Fitch and Jared Greene pushed VCU to a 2-0 win over Dayton in the first home match of Atlantic 10 play.
 
QUICK FACTS

• Fitch's goal in the 21st minute was his second of the season, marking the first multi-goal season of the defender's career.
• Greene's tally in the 87th minute was his first of the season and eighth of his career.
• Freshman midfielder Damian Gallegos notched his team-high third assist of the season on Greene's goal, while redshirt freshman forward Ethan Manheim tallied his second assist of the season on Fitch's score.
• Redshirt freshman goalkeeper John Ermini made three saves to preserve the clean sheet in his first start of the year.
• VCU outshot Dayton by a 17-10 margin, and held a 54%-46% advantage in possession.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Redshirt junior midfielder Pierre Fiorre Mane had the first quality chance of the match, cutting in on his right foot and ripping a shot just wide of the far post in the 10th minute.
• Mane was dangerous again in the 20th minute, forcing a save that resulted in a VCU corner kick. Robinson swung the corner in where Manheim directed a header on goal that was saved, while Fitch waited on the near post unmarked to head the rebound into the back of the net to put VCU on top 1-0.
• Senior forward Biska Biyombo, who had a game-high four shots, hit a curling effort in the 56th minute that landed just beyond the far post.
• VCU's back line held strong while the Flyers pushed for an equalizer, limiting Dayton to just five shots in the second half, and just two shots on goal.
• Senior defender Zeron Sewell had his powerful shot from just outside the six-yard box saved in the 76th minute.
• The Rams doubled their lead and sealed the win with a goal in the 87th minute. Gallegos collected a pass at midfield, turned, and accelerated into open space in the attacking third. He played a through ball for Manheim, but before Manheim could get a touch, the ball was punched away by Dayton goalkeeper Marc Kouadio right to Greene, whose one-touch finish found the back of the net.

QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVE GIFFARD
"It was a very good team win tonight against a talented Dayton squad. I was proud of several guys for stepping up when their number was called this week against ODU and again tonight. Our quality of depth has really been a key factor and will continue to be key to the rest of our journey this fall, wherever it may take us."
 
UP NEXT
The Rams turn around quickly for a trip to Charlottesville, Va., to face Virginia on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.