RAMS USE TWO FIRST-HALF GOALS IN 3-1 WIN OVER #7 UNC GREENSBORO
Viray has goal and assist in VCU victory
9-2-06
box score

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University scored a pair of first-half goals and made them stand up in a 3-1 victory over seventh-ranked UNC Greensboro Saturday evening at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium.

The Rams (2-1-0) got on the board in the 13th minute as freshman Owusu Sekyere (Suame-Kumasi, Ghana) finished a cross from junior Pat Viray (Reston, Va.) (pictured) from five yards out to give VCU an early 1-0 lead. VCU pushed the lead to 2-0 in the 32nd minute as junior Matthijs Maruanaya (Alkmaar, Netherlands) converted a free kick from 25 yards out.

The Spartans (2-1-0) started the second half a man down as Henning Jonasson was issued a red card in the 44th minute. Thomas Campbell was given a red card in the 53rd minute to put UNCG two men down. The Spartans got on the board in the 59th minute as senior Scott Jones nailed a free kick from 35 yards out to make the score 2-1.

Viray finished a cross from senior Adam Combs (Winston-Salem, N.C.) in the 68th minute to give VCU an insurance goal and a 3-1 lead.

Two more Spartans were given red cards in the 76th minute and another in the 77th minute. The match was halted with 13:51 remaining in the second half, giving the Rams a 3-1 victory.

"Our guys played very well," said VCU head coach Tim O'Sullivan. "I told them after the match that they represented themselves well and handled themselves well under difficult conditions."

Both teams had nine shots. Sophomore Andrew Dykstra (Woodbridge, Va.) recorded a pair of saves for the Rams, while freshman Nate Berry had one save for the Spartans.

The Rams will travel next weekend to play in the University of Michigan Tournament in Ann Arbor. VCU will face Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. The Rams will meet the host Wolverines on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 2:30 p.m.