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Virginia Commonwealth University

#LetsGoVCU
VCU Men’s Soccer vs. No. 23 New Hampshire ©2023 Pixel Factory Creative Studio, Inc.
VCU Athletics
2
Winner VCU VCU (4-5-5, 4-1-2)
1
George Mason Mason (4-6-3, 2-4-1)
Winner
VCU VCU
(4-5-5, 4-1-2)
2
Final
1
George Mason Mason
(4-6-3, 2-4-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
VCU VCU 0 2 2
George Mason Mason 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

RAMS CLINCH A-10 SPOT, KNOCK OFF GEORGE MASON 2-1

Score: VCU 2, George Mason 1
Location: Fairfax, Va. (George Mason Stadium)
Records: VCU 4-5-5 (4-1-2), George Mason 4-6-3 (2-4-1)
 
THE SHORT STORY: VCU Men's Soccer locked up its spot in the Atlantic 10 tournament behind a pair of second half goals from Gerardo Castillo and Damian Gallegos to take down George Mason, 2-1, on Saturday evening.

"Tonight's result was all about character and grit," said Head Coach Dave Giffard. "We found a way to grind out a two goal lead and then held on even after going down a man for the last bit. The boys battled against a strong Mason team who was fighting for their life and both teams battled. I am proud of the boys as we turn our attention to UNC-Greensboro."
 
PITCH SIDE
  • Castillo's goal, a penalty kick in the 59th minute, was his first career goal
  • Gallegos netted his third of the season
  • It was the second-straight match that Gallegos has scored
  • William Hitchcock provided the assist on Gallegos' goal
  • For Hitchcock it was the second-straight match with an assist
  • John Ermini made the start in goal, making three saves
  • The Rams recorded eight shots, four on goal
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • The first half went the full 45 without either side breaking through
  • But Ermini did make a pair of early saves to set the tone for VCU, stopping shots in the fourth and 11th minutes
  • During the seventh minute, Hitchcock ripped a shot that nearly beat George Mason's Jaume Salvado
  • Ermini made another save in the 28th minute as VCU continued to hunt for a goal
  • At the break, things were scoreless between the two sides
  • Coming out of the break, VCU earned itself a penalty kick when Mason's Salvado came out to make a tackle that took out Andrey Salmeron in the box
  • Castillo then calmly slotted the penalty past the keeper to make it 1-0 for his first career goal
  • It did not take long for the Rams to tack on another goal
  • In the 62nd minute, Hitchcock sent a long ball from the right midfield that found its way to the foot of Gallegos on the left side of goal
  • A few touches from Gallegos is all it took for him to score VCU's second of the match to make it 2-0
  • George Mason got on the board in the 76th minute to make it 2-1
  • But over the final 15 minutes VCU dug in and fought off an attacking George Mason side to wrap up its 2-1 victory and a spot in the A-10 tournament
 
UP NEXT: VCU next heads to UNC-Greensboro for a non-conference matchup on Oct. 25. The Rams then return to Sports Backers Stadium for senior day, when they welcome St. Bonaventure on Oct. 28 in the final regular season match of the season.
 
 
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