Box Score: Dayton 1, VCU 0
Location: Dayton, Ohio / Baujan Field
Records: Dayton (13-3, 7-1 A-10), VCU (3-8-4, 2-2-4 A-10)
 
THE SHORT STORY: VCU fell to Dayton in a physical, high-energy battle at Baujan Field on Sunday as the host team maintained its one-loss Atlantic 10 record. The Rams put up a full 90-minute effort, forcing the Flyers' final save in the 90^th minute, but dropped the 1-0 contest on the road.
 
PITCH SIDE

• Y-Van Nguyen placed a pair of shots on goal and Natalia Santangelo recorded one
• Jenna Eller and Nguyen led the Rams in shots with two each
• Allison Karpovich made two saves, bringing her career total to 102 and inching closer to Grace Young's 114 at No. 10 all-time in career saves
• VCU trailed Dayton by just one shot, 10-9, and the teams produced equal corner attempts with seven apiece
• Nearly even in possession, VCU held control of 48% of the game
• VCU moves to an even .500 in Atlantic 10 play

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Dayton wasted no time getting their offense running, making the match's first shot attempt in just the first minute
• In what was a highly defensive first half, each team recorded one shot on goal and one blocked shot
• With time dwindling in the first half, the Flyers drew a foul and freshman Laney Smith got her head on a ball-in, netting the lone goal of the contest in the 41^st minute
• VCU picked up the pace in the final 15, as Kanna Matsuhisa and Stella Castro each made a blocked shot attempt
• Pressing to the final minute of play, Nguyen launched a last-ditch attempt, which the Flyers recovered for a save to secure the 1-0 home victory

 
UP NEXT:
VCU continues it road trip George Washington on Thursday, Oct. 24, before coming home to host UMass for senior day and the 2024 regular season finale on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Sports Backers Stadium.