Box Score: VCU 1, American 1
Location: Washington, D.C. / Reeves Field
Records: VCU (0-1-2), American (0-2-1)
 
THE SHORT STORY
VCU women's soccer fought to the final minute on Thursday afternoon, limiting the Eagles' scoring chances and finally securing the 1-1 draw with an 89^th-minute equalizer from senior captain Stella Castro.
 
PITCH SIDE

• Stella Castro found the back of the net for her first career goal
• Mia Pongratz raised her season total in saves into the double-digits with four against the Eagles—her 11 are a career high
• Ava Pustover made just her fourth career start and her first of the season, placing a pair of shots on goal
• Freshmen Jessica Gotshall and Mina Stevens each made their collegiate debuts
• In VCU's three goals over as many games, three Rams have added the first goals of their careers
• The teams were tied with 14 shots apiece, but VCU led 8-5 in shots on goal
• American's Jennifer McGuire scored the goal for the Eagles

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU started the action early, keeping possession in the American defensive third for much of the first 10 minutes and firing off a trio of shots
• The Eagles erased their zero first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 18^th minute
• Coming out of the half, the Rams turned up the intensity, inducing three saves in less than two minutes from American goalkeeper Addison Roemer
• In the 74^th minute, Kate Weyer received the Rams' first yellow card of the season
• Pongratz made a phenomenal save, holding off the Eagles and turning the momentum in favor of the Rams
• Castro's 88:11 heroics collected the Rams' second tied final score in just three matches

 
UP NEXT
The Rams return to Sports Backers Stadium at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, for pride night, before taking a road trip to Loyola Maryland on Thursday, August 28.