Score: VCU 1, No. 2 Stanford 2
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: VCU 1-4-2, Stanford 6-0-0
 
THE SHORT STORY: VCU Women's Soccer battled No. 2 Stanford to the final whistle, out shooting the No. 2 team in the nation during the second half, before falling on a late go-ahead goal by the Cardinal in a 2-1 loss at Sports Backers Stadium.
 
Jordan Pieklo's first-career goal tied the match in the 74th minute, but an 83rd minute winner by Stanford decided the match.

"I am incredibly proud of our team for our performance tonight," said head coach Lindsey Martin. "We went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country and played some great soccer while doing so. The results haven't all gone our way in non-conference play, but five out of the most recent six halves we have played, have been brilliant. We are in a good place heading into Atlantic 10 play. Despite the loss, I'm a proud coach tonight."
 
PITCH SIDE
 

• Tonight's match, originally scheduled for 7:05 p.m., was delayed to by almost three hours due to inclement weather, kicking off at 9:52 p.m.
• Pieklo's goal was assisted by Anna Bagley. It was her third assist of the season
• Bagley added two shots on goal to her assist
• Kanna Matsuhisa led the Rams with four shots and three shots on goal
• Milica Bulatovic and Pieklo each had two shots on goal
• Allison Karpovich made the start in goal and racked up four saves, making big save after big save to keep the Rams in the match
• The Rams forced Stanford to make six second half saves, on seven second half shots
• Eight starting Rams had at least one shot and 10 of VCU's 11 shots on goal came from the starting 11
• VCU recorded 11 shots on goal to Stanford's six
• The Rams set season highs in shots (17) and shots on goal (11)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• Bagley got things rolling in the fifth minute when she got on the board with a shot on goal
• Karpovich made back-to-back saves in the 10th and 15th minutes as she got into the match
• The Rams got a corner kick late in the half, and recorded a pair of shots on rebounds getting a shot on goal from Pieklo in the 34th minute and another shot on goal from Bagley at the 35th minute
• The Cardinal scored the opening goal in the 44th minute to make it 1-0 heading into the break
• Right out of the half the Rams quickly ripped off a pair of shots, with Bulatovic (47th) and Matsuhisa (49th) forcing Stanford's Haley Craig to make a pair of saves
• VCU continued to ask questions and in the 74th minute they found an answer
• Running up the right side and ahead of the ball, Pieklo took a lead pass from Bagley and with space created by one touch, sent a looping ball roughly 15 yards out from goal that tucked under the cross bar and in the far corner to get VCU on the board
• Pieklo's first career goal tied things up at 1-1
• In the 83rd minute Stanford found the go ahead goal to put the score at 2-1
• In the final five minutes, VCU kept pushing and recorded shots on goal from Bulatovic (85th) and Sella Castro (88th)
• But VCU's final push was not enough to find the equalizer as things wrapped up at 2-1

 
UP NEXT: VCU remains at Sports Backers Stadium when they open up Atlantic 10 play by hosting cross-town rival Richmond on Sept. 14. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.