Score: VCU 10, La Salle 6
Location: Richmond, Va. (Cary Street Field)
Records: VCU 7-3 (3-1 A-10), La Salle 3-9 (0-4 A-10)

The Short Story: VCU took control of the game early, building a 6-2 lead after a Molly O'Keefe goal with 12:45 left in the second quarter. The Rams leaned on their defense as they held the Explorers scoreless for the final 26:07 of game play in the win.

OPENING DRAW:

• VCU's 3-1 mark to start A-10 play ties last season as the best start in the program's 11-year history
• Sam Palmer scored three goals on a team-high nine shot attempts. It marked the seventh time in 10 games this season that Palmer has scored at least three goals
• Rachel Koeneke had two goals and an assist on four shot attempts
• Kiley Kozak, Maya Gipson, Ally Schromsky, Annika Bennett and O'Keefe each scored one goal
• Kenson Epperly, Kaitlyn Morgan, Lakelyn Bostain, Katie Bornyek, Amelia Eilbacher and Kate Unzicker each had one assist
• VCU had a decisive advantage in shots over La Salle, leading 34-16 overall and 21-8 in shots on goal
• La Salle goalkeeper Mary Babbage made 13 saves for the Explorers

HOW IT HAPPENED

• La Salle opened the scoring with 12:07 left in the first quarter before VCU scored six of the next seven goals, including two by Palmer and Koeneke, gave VCU a 6-2 lead with 12:45 left before halftime
• The Rams took an 8-4 lead into halftime after Gipson converted a free position with just 13 seconds left in the second quarter
• VCU had its lead cut to 8-6 with 11:08 left in the third quart but shutout the Explorers the rest of the way. Goals from Bennett and Palmer gave VCU its final margin of victory

UP NEXT:
VCU travels to George Washington on Friday, March 27 for a 1 p.m. draw control. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.