Box Score: RV VCU 1, Davidson 2
Location: Davidson, N.C. / Alumni Stadium
Records:  VCU (4-4-3, 1-2 A-10), Davidson (3-4-4, 2-2 A-10)
 
THE SHORT STORY: Despite leading in nearly every statistic, VCU fell to Davidson after conceding more than one goal for just the second time in 2024. The Rams cut the deficit to one, but ultimately dropped the Atlantic 10 match 2-1 to the Wildcats.
 
PITCH SIDE

• For the third consecutive match, VCU maintained possession for 67% or more of the contest, dominating the first half 72-28
• Midfielder Damian Gallegos scored his first goal of the season with a career high-tying four shots in the match
• Sulaiman Abdul-Mateen and Andres Rodriguez both notched assists on the Rams goal
• VCU led the match with 11 shots to Davidson's eight
• The Rams only conceded one corner kick in the contest
• Sophomore Diego Avelar made his first career start in his fourth appearance of the year, playing a full 90

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU conceded an early goal as Davidson's Nico Quanbeck laid one into the back of the net from about 10 yards out in the third minute
• The Rams were able to create chances as Moussa Ndiaye and Lucas White made blocked and saved shots, respectively, closing in on the final 15 minutes of the opening half
• Denis Krioutchenkov added the Wildcats' second goal in the 60^th minute, firing a shot just out of reach of John Ermini in the net from 30 yards
• Gallegos answered with a goal of his own in the 79^th minute, knocking in the rebound from Abdul-Mateen's redirection of a Rams' corner kick
• VCU fell in its second A-10 competition of the season, 2-1

 
QUOTABLE
"A really tough result for us tonight. With Scott, Gerardo and Hayato out, it was a lot to ask of some other guys in the back, but I was so proud of those guys. The game, especially as the year goes along, is about the moments. Tonight, they got two goals in two moments and could have had a third. We could have scored seven or eight but didn't create enough to have to win the game. In these types of games like tonight and last Saturday, when teams defend with so many players behind the ball, we have to manufacture 20 looks to be sure that we get the result that we want. I didn't think we were purposeful enough tonight to be able to do that. We'll learn from it and I have a great deal of confidence that we will solve these problems moving forward," Head Coach Dave Giffard said.
 
UP NEXT:
In their return to action, the Rams will host Loyola Chicago in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Oct. 12, as they look to jump back into the win column. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium.