Allo Hello Rams and welcome to a new week of Black & Gold sporting goodness! The Docket this time around actually starts on a holiday which makes Monday that more fantastic. Labor Day begins the week on a high note that is followed by an Atlantic 10 vs. Big East volleyball showdown and a handful of road trips.
A Pair of Recaps!
⚽: Kelly Graves Doubles Down at UNI!
⚽: Men’s Soccer with a Golden Defense vs. Temple
VCU Volleyball: Jersey Blues and Another Invitational Upcoming
After the Seton Hall Classic over the weekend, VCU Volleyball sits at 1-5 overall. VCU began the invitational with a 5 set endurance test against Seton Hall and the Pirates held the Rams at bay 3-2. The Rams bounced back the following day with their first win of the season versus Oklahoma 3-1 and falling to #14 Pittsburgh 3-0.
Jasmin Sneed had herself a weekend on the stat sheet with 26 kills and 14 blocks in VCU’s three matches. Joining Sneed in her kill tally was contributions from Vicky Giommarini scoring 29 kills and Tori Baldwin hammering down 26 over the weekend. Paula Neciporuka scored her first double-digit kill tally of 11 kills against Oklahoma.
VCU prepares for another long week starting at the Siegel Center versus Georgetown then flying down to the Sunshine State for an invitational featuring Florida State, Florida A&M, and Southern Miss. 🏐❗️
–Tuesday, September 4th: VCU vs. Georgetown (Siegel Center at 6 PM)
Home2Home Suites Tallahassee Seminole Volleyball Invitational
–Friday, September 7th: VCU at Florida State (6 PM)
–Saturday, September 8th: VCU at Florida A&M (11:30 AM)
–Saturday, September 8th: VCU vs. Southern Miss (4:30 PM)
VCU Women’s Soccer: Flying in Iowa, Rams + Monarchs = Derby!
Iowa City was a good time for VCU Women’s Soccer in the Hawkeye Invitational. Northern Iowa was not ready for Kelly Graves as the attacking senior scored #Back2Back goals in the Rams 2-0 win. (RECAP Click! ⚽️) The Rams had a good showing versus Iowa but the Hawkeyes were too good in the 2nd half and put up 2 goals to end VCU’s three-match winning streak.
VCU Women’s Soccer has only one match on the docket this week and it’s a BIG one. It’s a good ol’ fashioned derby as VCU travels to Norfolk to take on Old Dominion. After losing their first match of the season against George Mason, the Monarchs aim to rebound at home against their rival. The upper hand belongs to VCU with last year’s 3-1 win at Sports Backers where Amanda Tredway scored on the Monarchs twice.
–Thursday, September 6th: VCU at Old Dominion (7 PM)
VCU Men’s Soccer: Haji’s Heroics!
Junior midfielder Siad Haji had a great weekend for Men’s Soccer with a pair of game-winning goals. His first winner winner chicken dinner happened on a 42nd-minute penalty kick versus Temple in a 1-0 win. (⚽️RECAP HERE!) Following that was this rocket of a boot off of a second chance versus Santa Clara in overtime for the VCU GOLDEN GOAL! ‼️‼️
Thanks to Haji’s heroics, the squad is now on a 3⃣ match winning streak. Sitting at 3-1 overall, head coach Dave Giffard is satisfied with where the team is at but there are still areas in VCU’s game that needs work. The Rams were able to move the ball well over the last few matches and defensive pressure on the ball is improving. If VCU can keep this level of play consistent then the Rams could be poised in prime position come conference play time.
This week for Men’s Soccer is a trip to Bloomington, Indiana to take on #6 Indiana. The Hoosiers look really good out the gates with three straight victories over ranked opponents (at #3 UNC, vs. #22 Dartmouth, and vs. #18 UConn). VCU clearly enters this match as the underdog but who doesn’t like a good upset? That’s what the Rams look to accomplish at Indiana Friday night.
–Friday, September 7th: VCU at #6 Indiana (7 PM)
VCU Field Hockey: Overtime Drawback
American University reversed their fortune against VCU in a double-overtime duel. Litiana Field and Emily McNamara put VCU ahead 2-0 however the Eagles scored 2 goals in less than 2 minutes to force overtime at Cary Street Field. American solidified the comeback in the 87th minute with a penalty shot goal to win the game 3-2 in double overtime.
A tough result for the Rams to bear as VCU fell to 1-2 overall on the year. This week the Rams only have one game to focus on at William & Mary. The Tribe are currently on a four-game homestand at Busch Field and welcome the Rams in their final home game. Currently, William & Mary sit at 1-2 with both teams looking to bounce back to their winning ways.
–Sunday, September 9th: VCU at William & Mary (1 PM)
Only one home game inside the Siegel Center this week featuring VCU Volleyball some come on out and support the Rams in the stands against the Hoyas! Good luck to all of our Rams hitting the road this week and come on back to RVA with a couple of Ws! #LetsGoVCU 🐏
