RAMS CLAIM 4-3 OVERTIME DECISION OVER DRAGONS
10-8-06
Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Sophomore forward Nikki Lloyd (Kent, England/Bromley) (pictured) posted two goals and one assist while junior goalkeeper Brittany LoVullo (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) charted a career-high 15 saves as Virginia Commonwealth University (2-11, 1-4) defeated Drexel University (6-7, 0-5) 4-3 in overtime Sunday afternoon at Buckley Field.

The Dragons got off to a hot start, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the first 13:31 of the opening period after goals from Karie Walton and Catherine Chiara.

Lloyd put VCU on the board at the 17:32 mark after the sophomore weaved through the Dragon defense and scored an unassisted goal to cut the Drexel lead to 2-1, where it would remain until the intermission.

The Rams wasted no time in the second half as junior Emily Guerra (Yorktown, Va./Seton Hall) evened the score at 2-2 just 2:09 into the period when she redirected a pass from Rebecca Sullivan (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) into the back of the net.

After nearly 20 minutes of defensive struggle, Lloyd struck again. This time the VCU forward beat the Dragon goalie on a penalty stroke, giving the Rams three unanswered goals and a 3-2 lead.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Amanda Kicera pulled the Dragons even with the Rams just 3:04 later. The score would remain 3-3 until the end of regulation.

LoVullo single-handedly kept the Rams in the match during the overtime period, turning away a furious Dragon attack that consisted of five shots on goal and three penalty corners.

In comparison, the Rams made their only opportunity of the overtime period count.

After VCU earned its first penalty corner of the extra frame, junior forward Jenna Harris (Aurora, Colo./Smoly Hill) gave the Rams a 4-3 victory when she hammered a shot passed the Dragon goalie. Lloyd earned her fifth assist of the season on the play.

LoVullo’s 15 saves was the third-highest single-game total in the Colonial Athletic Association this season.

The Rams return to action Friday October 13 for an out of conference match agianst Radford at 6 p.m.