Photos and game summary: Rams win dramatic home opener

Score: VCU 3, Old Dominion 1
Location: Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
Records: VCU 2-0-0, Old Dominion 1-1-0

The short story: VCU broke through with three goals in the last nine minutes, including an opening goal by the sophomore Andrey Salmeron in the 84th^th Minute when the Rams surprised Old Dominion at Sports Backers Stadium on Monday night.

QUOTE
“A good performance and another three important points. We controlled the game very well in the first half but in the final third we were not as good as we need to be in these games. After halftime the game became a lot more physical and we lost a bit of control but the game also started to drag a bit. We made a number of mistakes and gave them a goal but the guys showed really strong determination and kept going and found a way. Once we scored the first goal the momentum really picked up and we found more clear chances and finished the game with three. For the second time early in the season we responded really well to giving away a goal against the run of play and found a way in the end. We also conceded zero corners for the second time in as many games which speaks volumes about the team’s defense.” – VCU Coach David Giffard

FIELD PAGE

• VCU Goals: Papa Toure (’81, ’89), Salmeron (’84)
• The Rams had more shots on goal than the Monarchs (18-4), but trailed 0-1 until VCU finally took control.
• The Black and Golds had a 12-0 lead in corner kicks
• VCU dominated possession. VCU limited Old Dominion to just six percent possession in the final third

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU was dangerous all evening but failed to score for 80 minutes. That changed suddenly when Papa Toure wavy a 81^st-minute free kick from 20 meters into the near corner
• Three minutes later, Salmeron gave VCU the lead when he attempted a deflection just outside the box and hammered the ball into the top right corner.
• Toure scored another goal from the penalty in the 89th minute.^th minute
• VCU had more shots on goal than the Monarchs in the first half (6-1), but the two teams battled to a scoreless tie at halftime. ODU’s chances were limited throughout, but the Monarchs took the lead on a goal by Michael Eberle in the 58th minute.

Next
VCU returns to Sports Backers on Saturday, August 31 at 7 p.m. when it hosts High Point.