Wednesday evening at Sports Backers was a Black & Gold spectacle as VCU Men’s Soccer kicked-off their Atlantic 10 campaign against Davidson. Along with another entertaining episode of the Luc Fatton Show, the Rams made quick work of the Wildcats to get conference play started with all 3 points.

That Escalated Quickly…

VCU took advantage of opportunity just 5 minutes into the match. Siad Haji moved the ball forward and unleashed a perfect through ball from 25 yards away behind Davidson’s back line. Luc Fatton sprinted into the box and scored his 3^rd goal of the season while giving the Rams a 1-0 advantage.

Davidson mustered a response an attack of their own near seconds after conceding the opening goal. A pair of corner kicks for the Wildcats did not lead to an equalizer as Mario Sequeira and VCU’s back line stepped up defensively to clear the danger.

Highlights All-Around

Fatton added another goal in the 21’ minute thanks to the assist from Rafael Andrade Santos from the right wing. Santos’ assist found Fatton as he got a touch then struck the low corner to double VCU’s lead.

The duo of Fatton and Santos was a highlight reel worthy of a few replays. With Santos shaking and baking through the midfield and Fatton finishing the job in the box, VCU looked solid offensively. Davidson fell into a deep hole and was sinking fast against VCU’s defensive unit during the 1^st half.

Greg Boehme nearly hit pay dirt in the 36’ with a diving header off the VCU corner kick. Santos found the senior midfielder at the 6-yard line for a header that ricocheted off the post. Coleman Richards almost had Davidson back in the match during a breakaway a minute later; R.J. Roberts and Sequeira were able to block the shot and force a Davidson corner kick.

A good first 45 minutes for VCU as the Rams took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

Wildcats Comeback? Not So Fast.

Jaylen Thompson gave Davidson life in the 59’ with a goal for the visitors. Coleman Richards intercepted the ball from the Rams and launched a counter attack; Richards dropped the ball to Thompson who fired a rocket right by Sequeira to make it 2-1 VCU.

As time moved on, play got physical between VCU and Davidson. The officials quickly set the tone with yellow cards to Davidson’s Hunter Howard and VCU’s Rafael Andrade Santos in a two-minute span.

Ryo Shimazaki added to VCU’s goal tally with a 25-yard golazo that sailed over Sawyer Gaffney in goal and into the upper 90 of the net. A minute later in the 65’ minute, Luc Fatton wowed the crowd with a nutmeg pass to himself and scoring the hat-trick with a far post strike into the goal.

Victory Formation

With a 4-1 lead, Francesco Amorosino nearly added another but the cross-bar had other ideas denying his chance. Fans of the Black & Gold were highly entertained as the Rams continued playing good futbol at a high level.

Davidson had a tough night in the office and the Black & Gold emerged victorious with a 4-1 win at Sports Backers. VCU took all 3 points in their first Atlantic 10 match of the season.

Coming up next for VCU Men’s Soccer is a road trip to the Bronx against Fordham. That A-10 match will kick-off on Saturday, October 7th at 7 PM.

Mark Turner

Mark graduated from VCU in 2014 with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. He started as a fan of the Black & Gold in the stands his freshman year. Mark was known as "Kazie" for his charismatic fandom with the VCU's student organization the Rowdy Rams. While at VCU he gained experience in sports media with WVCW on a sports radio show called Rowdy Radio. Following graduation, Mark continued crafting his social media skills with the Richmond Kickers while also handling VCU coverage. He is a true fan of the Rams and vocally passionate on and off camera. After the final whistle, you can probably find him at local RVA bar or brewery enjoying a drink and conversation.