Box Score: No. 22 VCU 0, No. 7 Marshall 1
Location: Huntington, W.Va. / Hoops Family Field
Records:  VCU (4-2-2, 1-0 A-10), Marshall (6-1-1, 1-0 SBC)
 
THE SHORT STORY: Seventh ranked Marshall was able to find the back of the net late in the second half for the decisive edge in the single-goal game against No. 22 VCU. The Rams gave up their first goal in three matches to fall for just the second time in the 2024 season.
 
PITCH SIDE

• The Rams fall to 2-1 against nationally ranked top 15 teams
• Eight of the Herd's 14 shots were blocked in a valiant defensive effort from the Rams
• Midfielder trio Mouhamed Tucker, Theo Drennan and freshman Mohammed Ibrahim each tallied two shots
• Drennan led the team with a pair of shots on goal, Andres Rodriguez and Tucker both recorded one
• John Ermini made five saves between the posts for the Rams, surrendering his first goal in three matches
• Freshman forward Deniss Hayes played a season-high 26 minutes in the Rams' high-intensity second half
• VCU dropped to 0-3 in its all-time series against ranked Marshall

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Following a shot by Papa Toure, a yellow card was issued to Marshall midfielder Thiago Apolinario in the penalty box in the 12^th minute, but no foul was called
• In the 28^th minute Marshall made the first dangerous run at the goal, but sustained an offside call to
• VCU returned to the pitch with vigor in the second half, holding a sustained attack for the remainder of the contest, adding four shots on goal and drawing three corner kicks
• In the 55^th and 56^th minutes, the Rams pressed, inducing three back-to-back saves by Herd goalkeeper Dan Rose on attempts from Drennan and Rodriguez
• Tucker added the final shot on goal for the Rams in the 78^th minute
• The host team ran down the clock, drawing four Rams fouls in the final five minutes
• VCU was downed for just the second time on the year, dropping its first match to a ranked opponent

 
QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH GIFFARD
"I was very proud of the guys tonight. The game went exactly how both teams expected and how we wanted it to go. I told the team afterwards that we did many things the way we wanted. Obviously, there are a few details that could improve throughout the game, but that will always be the case for both teams. In the end, we have to score one of those chances if we want a result. The chances were there for us, but tonight we didn't take them. That's a third round NCAA tournament level game and if we want to be able to advance in those situations, that's the difference. On to recovery and Dayton on Saturday."  – VCU Head Coach Dave Giffard
 
UP NEXT:
VCU will continue its road trip to Dayton, Ohio, for its second Atlantic 10 competition against Dayton, who is ranked No. 25 in the TopDrawerSoccer poll, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.