WEINGARTNER SCORES FIRST GOAL, BUT RAMS FALL 2-1 TO BULLDOGS
8-25-06
box score

RICHMOND, Va. – Senior Thomas Weingartner (Munich, Germany) scored his first collegiate goal for Virginia Commonwealth University, but it was not enough as Alabama A&M nipped the Rams 2-1 to open the 2006 season in the first round of the Nike/Alltel Classic Friday evening at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium.

In the day’s first match, senior Mark Totten put in a goal in the 105th minute to give James Madison a 2-1 victory in two overtimes over Seton Hall.

Weingartner scored in the 78th minute, on an assist by junior Matthijs Maruanaya (Alkmaar, Netherlands) (pictured), to pull the Rams to within one at 2-1, but VCU could not get the equalizer. The Bulldogs tallied both their goals in the first half. Junior Mfana Futhi Bhembe converted a rebounded shot in the 29th minute, and junior Mosito Ranko beat the keeper one-on-one in the 45th minute for a 2-0 advantage.

Alabama A&M held a 21-15 edge in shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra (Woodbridge, Va.) registered seven saves for the Rams. Sophomore Mlondi Mdluli had six saves for the Bulldogs.

JMU took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute of its match with Seton Hall as senior Kurt Morsink nailed a free kick from 20 yards out. Senior Teddy Niziolek converted a header in the 39th minute for the Pirates to knot the score at 1-1. Seton Hall played the final 40 minutes a man down. JMU held a 20-11 advantage in shots, including 7-1 in overtime.

On Sunday, August 27, the second round of the Nike/Alltel Classic features James Madison against Alabama A&M at 1 p.m., followed by VCU vs. Seton Hall at 3:30 p.m. at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium.