VCU NAMES NEW WOMEN'S SOCCER COACHES
Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak to head Rams' program
02.14.07

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University today announced the addition of Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak as co-head coaches of the VCU Rams women’s soccer program.

“Tiffany and Tim know how to win at the highest levels, from Tiffany’s Olympic Gold Medal to Tim’s experience in Major League Soccer," said VCU President Eugene P. Trani.  "They bring a unique experience which will benefit the student-athletes and the VCU Women’s Soccer program as a whole.”

The husband-and-wife duo takes over the reins of the women’s soccer program, which has established itself as a force in the Colonial Athletic Association and an up-and-coming power on the East Coast.

Roberts Sahaydak and Sahaydak both starred at the University of North Carolina and have sinced moved their games to the national and international level.

Roberts Sahaydak had a decorated career as a 10-year member of the United States Women’s National Team. She was a member of the first-ever gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympics and a member of the 1999 World Cup Championship team. She earned a second gold medal as a part of the 1998 Goodwill Games squad.

A member of two NCAA National Champions at UNC, Roberts Sahaydak was a four-time All-ACC selection and two-time All-American during her time in Chapel Hill. Her professional career began in 2001 as a founding player of the Women’s United Soccer Association. She started all 21 games for the Carolina Courage in the inaugural season and went on to captain the team over the next two seasons.

Sahaydak has asserted himself on the highest levels of American professional soccer for over eight years. He began his professional career in 1997 when he joined the Columbus Crew and became the youngest player to ever wear the don a Crew jersey. After playing in Columbus for two seasons, he spent time with the Miami Fusion, FC Dallas and local club, DC United.

Sahaydak also has a history with the US National Teams program as he was a member of the USA U-18 and U-20 National Teams, as well as a member of the 2000 Olympic Team player pool. He played two seasons at UNC-Chapel Hill, before leaving early to join the professional soccer ranks.

“It is truly an honor for us to be named co-head coaches of the women's soccer program at Virginia Commonwealth University. We are excited to have the opportunity of joining both a university and an athletic department with a record of success and a relentless dedication to pursuing excellence,” Roberts Shayadak said. “We are absolutely convinced that it is a thrilling time to be a part of VCU athletics. We look forward to lending our experience and talents to building a winning tradition and a program that reflects the commitment and hard work of everyone involved.”

Roberts Sahaydak and Sahaydak take over the Rams, who finished 11-7 last season and finished third in the CAA in the regular season. The Black and Gold established itself as a threat over the past three years as they have made an NCAA appearance in two of the last three seasons and captured the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament victory in 2005 with a 3-1 victory over Clemson.

The tandem replaces former VCU Co-Head Coaches Denise Schilte-Brown and Chris Brown, who left to take over the reins of the University of South Florida women’s soccer program.

RAMS EARN FIFTH STRAIGHT NSCAA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD
1-15-06

RICHMOND, Va. – The VCU women’s soccer team has not only made a name for themselves on the field, they have also excelled in the classroom as the Black and Gold earned its fifth straight National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Collegiate Team Academic award for the 2005-2006 school year.

The NSCAA Collegiate Team Academic award is given to men’s and women’s programs that compile a 3.0 grade point average or greater as a team. The Rams’ hardwork and dedication on their studies showed as the Black and Gold compiled a team grade point average of 3.21 for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The Rams were one of four schools from the Colonial Athletic Association to receive the NSCAA team award. Out of the four schools, VCU posted the highest overall team grade point average with the 3.21 mark.

The Rams are coming off their fifth straight 10-plus win season as the Black and Gold posted a mark of 11-6-3, including a 7-3-1 record within the CAA.


MOORWOOD EARNS THIRD TEAM ALL-REGION HONORS
Junior led Rams in points and goals
12-4-06

RICHMOND, Va. – The honors and recognition keep rolling in for junior midfielder Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale) as she was recently named to the 2006 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I All-Mid-Atlantic Region third team for her play this past fall.

Moorwood was the lone Ram honored on the squads, and was just one of five players from CAA schools recognized in the region.

Moorwood is no stranger to high honors as she recently participated as a member of the New Zealand national team for a recent trip to China in preparation for the 2007 World Cup.

Along with the All-Region honor, she was also named to the first-team All-CAA for her 2006 campaign. She is a two-time All-CAA honoree as she received second-team honors in 2005. This past season she led the Rams in points and tied for the team lead in goals as the junior started all 18 games for VCU netting six goals and assisting on four other goals for a total of 16 points. She also led the team with four game-winning goals as she recorded the decisive goal in victories over La Salle, UNC Wilmington, Drexel and Old Dominion.

“It’s a tremendous honor for Hayley,” VCU head coach Denise Schilte-Brown said. “ Hayley’s an extremely gifted athlete that is as good on the field as she is off the field. She represents the VCU program well with her on-field talent and the type of person she is.”

Moorwood will be back next season as the returning captain for the Rams will look to guide the Black and Gold back to the top of the CAA and back to the NCAA tournament for the third time in four seasons. The Rams will be fully loaded as they eight of their starting eleven from this season, as well as three of the top four in scoring for VCU.

For the complete list of the teams, click here.

MOORWOOD SHINES ON INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
Junior starts both contests for New Zealand national team against China
11-27-06

RICHMOND, Va. – Junior midfielder Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale) recently made a name for herself on the international level and has gained recognition for the VCU women’s soccer program among some of the elite players worldwide.

Moorwood was a member of the New Zealand national team for a recent trip to China in preparation for the 2007 World Cup. The week-long trip included to closed-door practice matches against the world’s eighth ranked team, Hangzhou.

“It’s a tremendous accomplishment for Hayley,” VCU head coach Denise Schilte-Brown said. “ Hayley’s an extremely gifted athlete that is as good on the field as she is off the field. She represents the VCU program well with her on-field talent and the type of person she is.”

Although Hangzhou came out on top in both games (4-0 and 3-0), Moorwood was stellar in both games for New Zealand as she received the starting nod in both contests.

In the first contest, a 3-0 China win, Moorwood constantly created chances in the second-half for New Zealand who tried to crawl back into the contest after a 2-0 halftime deficit. Moorwood used crisp passing and quick feet to try and set-up New Zealand forwards Maia Jackman and Rebecca Smith.

Moorwood is no stranger to New Zealand soccer fans as she received high honors last year as she was named the ASICS Sportswoman of the Year. She was only the second women’s soccer player to be recognized in the winners' circle at the Auckland Sporting Excellence Awards.  The winners’ circle consisted of entries received from the 68 codes, which make up the Auckland sporting community.

She is a two-time All-CAA honoree as she received second-team honors in 2005 and was named to the first-team this past fall. This past season she led the Rams in points and tied for the team lead in golas as the junior started all 18 games for VCU netting six goals and assisting on four other goals for a total of 16 points. She also led the team with four game-winning goals as she recorded the decisive goal in victories over La Salle, UNC Wilmington, Drexel and Old Dominion.

Moorwood also has a chance of a lifetime as she may be a member of the New Zealand national team that participates in the 2007 FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games, both events are to be hosted in China.

FOUR RAMS NAMED TO ALL-CAA TEAMS; MOORWOOD NAMED TO FIRST-TEAM
11-2-06

RICHMOND, Va. – Junior Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale) led a quartet of Rams as the Colonial Athletic Association announced the All-CAA teams for the 2006 women’s soccer season on Wednesday evening.

Sophomores Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) and Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm Sweden/Danderyds Gym) garnered spots on the second team, while Laure Dupont (Plessis Robinson, France) was honored as a member of the All-CAA Rookie team.

Moorwood was the lone member of the Black and Gold named to the first-team as the midfielder led the Rams in points and tied for the team lead in goals. The junior started all 18 games for VCU netting six goals and assisting on four other goals for a total of 16 points on the 2006 campaign. She lead the team with four game-winning goals as she netted the decisive goals in wins over La Salle, UNC Wilmington, Drexel and Old Dominion.

Flanagan provided great size to the Rams all season long and was a force on the Black and Gold front line as she netted two goals and four assists as the sophomore forward started all 18 contests for VCU. She was a strength for the Black and Gold in conference action as she ranked second in the conference for assists during CAA play. Her highlight game of the season game against CAA-rival Old Dominion as she recorded assists on both Rams’ goal in a 2-1 victory.

Jansson played aggressive all season long as the Rams forward tied for the team lead in goals and was second on the team in assists. The sophomore netted six goals and recorded three assists on the year as she totaled 15 points on the campaign. She led the Black and Gold in CAA action as she recorded three goals and all three of her assists against conference opponents.

Dupont was a junior who came from France and played a significant role for the Rams all year long. The midfielder, who also saw some time on the back line, played in all 18 games for VCU and recorded two goals and three assists for a total of seven points on the year.

VCU finished with an overall mark of 11-6-3 and 7-3-1 in CAA play as they finished third in the final CAA standings.

RAMS OUTSHOOT DUKES 18-15, BUT FALL 5-0 IN CAA QUARTERFINALS
10-30-06
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Freshman Corky Julien (Williamstown, Ontario) had two goals and an assist to lead sixth-seeded James Madison University past third-seeded Virginia Commonwealth University 5-0 in the quarterfinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Monday evening at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium.

The Rams (11-6-3) outshot the Dukes (10-8-2) 18-15, but JMU held an 11-5 edge in shots on goal.

Both teams had early scoring chances. VCU sophomore Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden) (pictured), who led the Rams with five shots, had three shots in the first 20 minutes of the match. The Dukes had a cross in front of an open net in the eighth minute, but could not connect.

JMU got on the board in the 36th minute as sophomore Lindsay Bowers (Burke, Va.) lobbed the ball over the keeper’s head from 20 yards out to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The Dukes added to their lead in the 52nd minute as Julien took a pass from senior Sarah Cebulski (Manotick, Ontario) and put the ball inside the right post from 12 yards out to give JMU a 2-0 advantage. Cebulski pushed the Dukes’ lead to 3-0 in the 55th minute as she chipped the ball over the keeper’s head from 25 yards out.

VCU had two good scoring chances in the second half as sophomore Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) had a header just over the crossbar in the 64th minute and junior Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand) had a free kick just above the bar in the 65th minute.

JMU scored again in the 73rd minute as senior Natalie Ewell (Richmond, Va.) chipped the ball over the keeper on an assist by Julien, who added her second goal in the 75th minute to make it 5-0.

James Madison advances to meet second-seeded UNC Wilmington in the CAA semifinals Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.

RAMS BATTLE BUT FALL TO MASON 2-1 IN OVERTIME
10-20-06
Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. – An early goal by sophomore Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) (pictured) was not enough for the VCU women’s soccer team as the George Mason Patriots defeated the Rams 2-1 in double overtime. The loss drops VCU to 11-4-2 overall and 7-2-0 in the CAA, while the Patriots improve to 7-9-1 overall and 4-5-0 in the conference.

The Rams jumped out early as Laure Dupont (Plessis Robinson, France) broke past a Mason defender on the left side and sent a beautiful cross pass to Flanagan who found the back of the net for an early 1-0 VCU advantage.

The game was tight throughout as the Black and Gold back line held the Patriots in check for most of the contest.

A penalty kick in the 79th minute of action gave Mason a chance to even the score at 1-1 as Rachel Wiggins squirted one past junior goaltender Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill) to do just that.

The two teams held each other in check in the first overtime as there were just three shots taken by either team, but the Patriots came out aggressive in the second overtime. Mason had four shots in the second overtime and with 2:02 left in the contest, Rachel Wiggins found Kelly Keelan who deposited the game-winner as the Patriots topped the Rams, 2-1.

VCU is still without a win at George Mason Stadium as the Black and Gold are now 0-6 in Fairfax.

The Rams are back in action on Sunday, October 22 as they celebrate Senior Day at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

BEYOND THE GAME: SOLVEIG HAALAND
10-19-06

RICHMOND, Va. – One may think leaving their home country and traveling almost four thousand miles across the Atlantic Ocean may be difficult. That part of senior Solveig Haaland’s (Bergen, Norway/Mosjoen Viederegaende) journey to VCU has been one of the easier parts of her transition.

Read more about Solveig's journey here.

JANSSON EARNS SECOND NATIONL TEAM OF THE WEEK HONOR
10-18-06

RICHMOND, Va. – For the second time this week, sophomore Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden/Danderyds Gym) received high honors as the standout was named to the Soccer Buzz Women’s National College Team of the Week for October 9-15.

Jansson recorded two straight three-point games as she scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Northeastern as she took a feed from senior Melanie Simonich (Centreville, Va./Westfield) in the 65th minute and found the back of the net to give the Rams the victory. Earlier in the contest, she assisted on fellow classmate Stephanie Power’s (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth) score.

On Sunday afternoon, it was Jansson who got the Black and Gold on the board first taking a feed from senior Leigh Anthony (Fredericksburg, Va./W.T. Woodson) and blasting a shot past the Hofstra goaltender in the 58th minute. She later teamed with Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) to assist on Bridgit Cooley’s (Clifton,Va./Seton) goal.

Jansson finished with six points on the week, recording two goals and two assists. Both of her goals were game-winning goals as she has totaled four game-winners this season, which leads the Rams in that category. She is also tied for the team lead in goals with Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale) as both player have notched six goals on the campaign.

The sophomore continues to rise on the all-time scoring list for VCU as she now ranks seventh on the Rams’ all-time goals list with 14 in her young two-year career. She also ranks 11th on the career points list with 31 points coming off 14 goals and three assists.

The second-year star could not have picked a better time for a breakout weekend as the Rams picked up a pivotal weekend sweep of Northeastern and Hofstra, along with a mid-week victory over Old Dominion on Tuesday to remain in sole possession of second place in the CAA and only one point behind the College of William & Mary.

The Rams are back in action on Friday, October 20 as they travel to Fairfax, Va. to take on George Mason in a 7 p.m. contest.

JANSSON NAMED TO TDS NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK
10-16-06

RICHMOND, Va. – Sophomore Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden/Danderyds Gym) received high honors on Monday as the standout was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Women’s National College Team of the Week for October 9-15.

Jansson recorded two straight three-point games as she scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Northeastern as she took a feed from senior Melanie Simonich (Centreville, Va./Westfield) in the 65th minute and found the back of the net to give the Rams the victory. Earlier in the contest, she assisted on fellow classmate Stephanie Power’s (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth) score.

On Sunday afternoon, it was Jansson who got the Black and Gold on the board first taking a feed from senior Leigh Anthony (Fredericksburg, Va./W.T. Woodson) and blasting a shot past the Hofstra goaltender in the 58th minute. She later teamed with Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) to assist on Bridgit Cooley’s (Clifton,Va./Seton) goal.

Jansson finished with six points on the week, recording two goals and two assists. Both of her goals were game-winning goals as she has totaled four game-winners this season, which leads the Rams in that category. She is also tied for the team lead in goals with Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale) as both player have notched six goals on the campaign.

The sophomore continues to rise on the all-time scoring list for VCU as she now ranks seventh on the Rams’ all-time goals list with 14 in her young two-year career. She also ranks 11th on the career points list with 31 points coming off 14 goals and three assists.

The second-year star could not have picked a better time for a breakout weekend as the Rams picked up a pivotal weekend sweep of Northeastern and Hofstra, along with a mid-week victory over Old Dominion on Tuesday to remain in sole possession of second place in the CAA and only one point behind the College of William & Mary. 

The Rams are back in action on Friday, October 20 as they travel to Fairfax, Va. to take on George Mason in a 7 p.m. contest.

JANSSON’S BIG DAY HELP RAMS OVERCOME HOFSTRA, 2-0
10-15-06

RICHMOND, Va. – Sophomore Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden/Danderyds Gym) could not have come up with a better time for a big weekend as the second-year standout scored a goal and recorded an assist for the second straight game as the VCU women’s soccer team notched a 2-0 win over defending CAA champion Hofstra on Sunday afternoon at VCU’s Sports Backers stadium.

The win improves the Rams record to 11-3-2 overall and 7-1-0 in the conference, while the Pride falls to 7-8-1 on the year and 3-5-0 in the CAA. VCU has only one loss in their past eleven games, accumulating a 9-1-1 record over that span.

The two teams battled through a very physical first half as there were 12 fouls before the intermission. The defensive battle saw just eight shots taken in the first half with only three shots on goal.

Jansson struck in the 58th minute of action as she took a beautiful feed off a header from senior Leigh Anthony (Fredericksburg, Va./W.T. Woodson) and dribbled inside the box and found the back of the net to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 advantage.

Just under seven minutes later, Jansson passed to sophomore Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) who fed a beautiful cross to Bridgit Cooley (Clifton, Va./Seton) who scored her first goal of the season and give the Rams a 2-0 lead.

A great defensive effort was put forth yet again as freshmen Myriam Bouchard (Quebec, Canada/Cardinal Roy) and Karin Tersteeg (Diepenveen, Netherlands/Etty Hillesum Lyceum) led the back line as the Rams allowed just five shots and only two shots on goal in the contest. Junior Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill) picked up the win in net as she recorded the sixth shutout of the season with two saves.

The Rams are back in action on Friday, October 20 as they travel to Fairfax, Va. to take on George Mason in a 7 p.m. contest.

DEFENSE, JANSSON LEAD RAMS TO 2-1 WIN OVER NORTHEASTERN
10-13-06
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Battling the brisk weather and a fiery opponent, the VCU women’s soccer team was able to upend the visiting Northeastern University, 2-1, in CAA women’s soccer action on Friday evening at VCU’s Sports Backers stadium. The win improves the Rams record to 10-3-2 overall and 6-1-0 in the conference, while the Huskies fall to 8-4-2 and 4-2-1 in the CAA.

The Huskies came out aggressive as they constantly put pressure on the Black and Gold back line and junior netminder Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill). Great defensive efforts from Myriam Bouchard (Quebec, Canada/Cardinal Roy) and Brittain Maas (McLean, Va./McLean) allowed the Rams to hold Northeastern off the scoreboard early.

Sophomore standout Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth) took a pass from fellow classmate Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden/Danderyds Gym) and lofted a shot from 30 yards out over the head off Huskie goaltender Annie Petrofsky to give the Rams a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute of action.

Northeastern quickly answered as their pressure on the Rams’ defense resulted in a goal in the 24th minute as Caitlin Whelan netted a goal to even the game at 1-1.

Jansson struck again as she received a feed from senior Melanie Simonich (Centreville, Va./Westfield) on a breakaway and found the back of the net in the 65th minute to give the Rams a 2-1 advantage.

A frantic effort by Northeastern in the final minutes were all snuffed away by the Black and Gold as the Rams held on for a 2-1 victory.

The Rams outshot the Huskies 14-11 in the contest as Hardison recorded four saves in a stellar effort.

The Black and Gold return home on Sunday, October 15th as they take on reigning CAA champion Hofstra in a 2 p.m. contest.

FLANAGAN ASSISTS RAMS IN 2-1 DEFEAT OF OLD DOMINION
10-10-06
Box Score

NORFOLK, Va. – Sophomore Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) notched two assists as the VCU women’s soccer team defeated CAA-rival Old Dominion, 1-0, in a battle of second place teams. The Rams improve to 9-3-2 overall and 5-1-0 in the CAA, while the Lady Monarchs fall to 12-2-0 overall and 4-2-0 in conference play.

Flanagan found junior Laure Dupont (Plessis Robinson, France) on the right side with less than five minutes left in the first half and Dupont deposited the ball in the back of net to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 advantage going into the intermission.

Junior Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale) took a Flanagan feed in the 71st minute and notched her team leading sixth goal of the season to push the Rams advantage to 2-0.

The Lady Monarchs cut the lead to 2-1 with less than four minutes remaining in regulation as Elizabeth Brewster scored from 35 yards out, but the Rams held on for the 2-1 victory.

The Black and Gold outshot Old Dominion 14-12 overall as junior Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill) recorded four saves in the win.

VCU hosts a pivotal CAA weekend at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium this Friday and Sunday as they take on the Huskies of Northeastern on October 13 at 7 p.m., while the Pride of Hofstra University come to Richmond on Sunday for a 2 p.m. contest.

STREAK SNAPPED AS RAMS FALL TO WILLIAM & MARY, 1-0
10-8-06
Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The VCU women’s soccer team battled the 18th-ranked Tribe of the College of William and Mary but fell 1-0 in CAA women’s soccer action on Sunday afternoon. The Rams fall to 8-3-2 and 4-1-0 in the conference, while William & Mary improves to 10-1-2 overall and 4-0-1 in the CAA.

The loss snaps the Black and Gold’s CAA regular season unbeaten streak, which ends at 17, while its seven game unbeaten streak overall is also finished.

Danielle Collins took a pass from Mary MacKenzi Grier and found the back of the net in the 66th minute of play to score the lone goal of the contest and give the Tribe a 1-0 win and sole possession of first place in the CAA.

The two teams battled throughout the game as VCU outshot the Tribe 12-11 overall with an 8-6 advantage in the second half.

Junior Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va.) notched seven saves in the contest as she faced eight shots on goal in the contest.

The Rams return to action on Tuesday evening as they travel to Old Dominion to make-up a rain postponed match, start time is set for 7 p.m.

VCU MATCH AT OLD DOMINION POSTPONED
10-6-06

RICHMOND, Va. – The women’s soccer game between Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. in Norfolk, Va., has been postponed due to inclement weather. The match will be played on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at ODU.

The Rams will play host to William & Mary on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium.

BOUCHARD EARNS CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK HONORS
10-3-06

RICHMOND, Va. – Freshman Myriam Bouchard (Quebec, Canada/Cardinal Roy) wasted no time in showing her ability to shut down opponent’s offensive attacks as Bouchard and the rest of the Rams’ back line put forth a dominant defensive effort this past weekend, allowing just five shots in two games. Bouchard was recognized for her accomplishments as she was named CAA Rookie of the Week, announced last night by the conference office.

"Myriam has an unlimited amount of potential," Co-Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown said. "She's physically a very strong kid, who is very good as a one on one defender and she's great in the air. Her physical talent is not the only thing with Myriam though because she's also a great leader for us."

In just her first two collegiate starts, Bouchard was a key member of the Black and Gold’s stalwart defense allowing just one goal, which came off a penalty kick, in VCU’s 1-0 defeat of Delaware on Friday and 3-1 victory over Drexel on Sunday afternoon.

"She has a lot of the same qualities as some of the past great defenders we've had here at VCU, such as Jen Woodie, Prue Cormie and Sarah Walsh. Myriam could end her career being named as one of those top Ram defenders," Schilte-Brown said.

Bouchard and the Rams have won five straight and are unbeaten in their last seven contests, dating back to September 8th. VCU is now alone atop the CAA standings at 8-2-2 overall and 4-0-0 in the conference. In-state rivals William & Mary and Old Dominion are right behind the Rams in second as the Tribe stand at 3-0-1 in the CAA and ODU stands at 3-1-0 in the conference.

The Black and Gold take on their two rivals this weekend as they travel to Old Dominion on Friday evening for a 7 p.m. contest and take on the Tribe in Williamsburg, Va. on Sunday in a 12:30 p.m. contest.

MOORWOOD, ANTHONY HELP RAMS OVERPOWER DREXEL, 3-1
10-1-06

RICHMOND, Va. – In dominating fashion, the VCU women’s soccer team defeated Drexel University, 3-1, in CAA women’s soccer action on Sunday afternoon at VCU’s Sports Backers stadium.

VCU improves to 8-2-2 overall and 4-0-0 in the CAA. Drexel falls to 3-7-1 on the season and 0-4-0 in the CAA. The victory extends the Rams CAA regular season unbeaten streak to 17 straight games and the Black and Gold have not been beaten since September 8, when they lost 1-0 to Colgate. VCU also moves into sole possession of first place in the CAA with the unblemished 4-0-0 record.

From the opening the Black and Gold controlled the tempo and flow of the game as they outshot the Dragons 26-1 in the contest, including 15-0 in the second half. The lone Drexel shot came in the first half on a penalty kick by Aleka Yiantsos.

The two captains, senior Leigh Anthony (Fredericksburg, Va./W.T. Woodson (W.Va.)) and junior Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale), connected for the Rams first goal as Anthony passed to Moorwood off a corner kick who gave it right back to Anthony who deposited the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.

Moorwood struck in the 23rd minute as she took a free kick from 20 yards out and bent it around Drexel keeper Kaitlin Bond to give VCU a 2-0 advantage.

Yiantsos gave Drexel their lone goal of the contest with under three minutes left till intermission as she was tripped up inside the box and slid her penalty kick around junior keeper Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill) to cut the lead to 2-1 entering halftime.

VCU kept the pressure on in the second half as they unleashed shot after shot at Bond. Sophomore Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden/Danderyds Gym) got her fourth goal of the season in the 76th minute as she took a beautiful feed from fellow classmate Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth) and found the back of the net for the final goal of the game.

The Rams return to the pitch next weekend in a pair of critical CAA contests as they travel to Old Dominion on Friday evening for a 7 p.m. contest and travel to William & Mary on Sunday for a 12:30 p.m. match-up.

MAAS, DEFENSE LEAD RAMS TO 1-0 VICTORY OVER DELAWARE
9-29-06
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – A stifling defensive effort and junior Brittani Maas’ (McLean, Va./McLean) first collegiate goal led the Rams to a 1-0 defeat of the University of Delaware on Friday evening in CAA women’s soccer action.

The win improves VCU’s record to 7-2-2 on the season including a unblemished 3-0-0 in the CAA. The Blue Hens fall to 6-3-2 in 2006 with a 1-2-0 within the conference. The victory also extends the Rams unbeaten streak in CAA regular season play to 16, as well extending their current unbeaten streak to six games.

The Black and Gold dominated play in the first half  as they had several scoring opportunities in the first ten minutes as sophomore Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa) took a beautiful feed from fellow classmate Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth), in the seventh minute, and got past a Blue Hen defender and powered one to the left of Delaware’s keeper but the shot just hit the post.

Maas got her first scoring chance in the 21st minute as she used a burst of speed to get past a Blue Hen defender and took a pass from Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden/Danderyds Gym) on the left side, but the junior got too much behind the shot and it went high of the net.

Power and Laure Dupont (Plessis Robinson, France/Louis Bascan) used crisp passing to feed Mass who connected on her first collegiate goal from 25 yards out and nailed the upper right corner of the net in the 27th minute of action to give the Rams a 1-0 advantage.

The stifling defense of the Rams held Delaware to just three shots in the first half as the Black and Gold controlled the tempo and got off 12 shots in the first half.

The 1-0 advantage held strong for the remainder of regulation as VCU’s defense held Delaware to just one shot in the second half and turned away numerous Blue Hen chances.

Junior goalkeeper Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill) was solid once again in net as she recorded two saves in the contest and picked up her fifth shutout of the season and has allowed just three goals in her last eight contests.

The Rams return home on Sunday, October 1st as they take on the Drexel Dragons in a 2 p.m. contest at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium.