Score: VCU 1, Penn 0
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. / Rhodes Field
Records: VCU (3-3-1), Penn (1-2-1)
 
THE SHORT STORY
VCU men's soccer got ahead in the 17^th minute on Deniss Hayes' first career goal and never looked back, taking down Penn, who received votes in the United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll. The Rams secured their second consecutive victory on the road
 
PITCH SIDE

• D. Hayes scored his first career goal for the game-winner, and his three shots on goal are the most by a Ram this season
• Trevor Maloney tallied his first career clean sheet with a career-high four saves
• Maloney has recorded 139-straight shutout minutes
• Theo Drennan notched his first career point on the assist
• For the first time since returning from injury, Camilo Comi played the full 90 minutes
• In the record book, Moussa Ndiaye made his 56^th career start, breaking into the program's top 10 (dating back to 1996)
• VCU was outshot by Penn 11-8, but made the most of their chances, leading the match with six shots on goal to Penn's four

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Quakers put pressure on early, firing off three shots in the first seven minutes, one of which found the gloves of Maloney between the posts
• VCU got on the board with its decisive goal in just the 17^th minute on a service from Drennan that D. Hayes rocketed past Penn goalkeeper David Howard
• Maloney made a stellar diving save at the post to hold onto the Rams' lead in the 19^th minute
• Comi, Lucas White and D. Hayes combined for four more shots on goal, but Howard held the Rams' lead to one
• Maloney made his fourth and final save in the 90^th minute to secure VCU's first shutout of the season and advance the Rams to 2-0 on the week

 
QUOTABLE
"That was a good performance from the group. I think it showed the growth we have had in the last few weeks. We were more balanced on both sides of the ball and did many things better than we would have done a week or two ago. Finally, we get to an open mid-week. It will be good to get a few days off this weekend, then five days to train and hopefully improve heading into Atlantic 10 play," said Head Coach Dave Giffard.
 
UP NEXT
VCU will return to Sports Backers Stadium on Saturday, September 20, to open its conference slate against Dayton at 7 p.m. The Rams will host Pups at the Pitch and fans are encouraged to bring their furry friends to the game.