VCU Rams Men’s Soccer to 3-0 Defeat

Loyola men’s soccer suffered a 3-0 loss against Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Oct. 18 after the Rams broke through Loyola’s defense to secure all three goals in the second half. The Ramblers now stand 1-2-3 in conference play and 4-4-6 overall with two matches remaining.

Starting off an intense first half, players fought for possession of the ball until one minute in, a Rams defender kicked it back to VCU’s third-year goalkeeper Trevor Maloney, but second-year forward Arved Von Vegesack reached it before Maloney could. Vegesack forced the ball out of reach as he shot for the net, but it fell out on the left.

Seconds later, the Ramblers were awarded the first corner of the match with third-year midfielder Jack McFeely taking the shot, but Loyola failed to capitalize on the advantage.

Merely two minutes into the half, second-year defender Nicholas Roe was issued a yellow card for unsporting after tripping a Rams defender.  

The Rams found their first offensive opportunity three minutes in when VCU’s second-year midfielder Mohammed Ibrahim sent a drive to the bottom center where it swiftly met third-year goalkeeper Gabe Velasco.

Almost a minute later, a second yellow card was issued, this one given to the Rams fourth-year midfielder Andres Rodriguez for persistent infringement after he slid in front of the Ramblers second-year midfielder Luka Ivancic, tripping him.

Four minutes in, the Ramblers were awarded consecutive corners, both shot by McFeely with a Rams defender knocking it out of the way each time. Minutes later, redshirt second-year defender Ameer Abdullah was given a yellow card for persistent infringement after a Rams player was tripped.

After McFeely was fouled, the Rams were awarded a free kick with Rodriguez taking the shot, but it was a failed attempt. A corner was then awarded to the Rams, although they didn’t capitalize, redshirt third-year Rams midfielder Theo Drennan gained possession only to kick it over the net.

In the following six minutes, McFeely failed to take advantage of the repossession and shot over the left. Ivancic was then fouled. Rodriguez was awarded a free kick resulting in another failed attempt.

In the 20th minute, consecutive shots were made at the net by VCU’s third-year midfielder Andrey Salmeron, but both attempts were blocked. Five minutes later, Velasco made two more saves between the posts as third-year forward Sulaiman Abdul-Mateen sent shots to the bottom left and bottom center.

After a failed corner kick from the Rams, VCU’s graduate forward Camilo Comi gained possession but shot off target. The next few seconds produced a power struggle over the ball until fourth-year midfielder Ben Bischof held it, but his offensive attempt was blocked. 

In the 32nd minute, Maloney made his first save after fourth-year forward Hugo Urdiales crossed to third-year forward Petar Janjic who sent a hard drive to the net, but it went out on the bottom left.

In the final 13 minutes of the half, fouls were traded between the teams, and only the Rams were able to produce offensive attempts as Salmeron, Comi and third-year Rams defender Pedro Salmon all sent failed attempts to the net.

Following the scoreless first half, the Rams came back from halftime with a purpose as they broke through the stalemate in the 58th minute. After Salmon sent a cross into the box, Abdul-Mateen finished it off with a kick to the bottom right to take the lead 1-0.

Within the next four minutes, first-year forward Antonio Pinto had three attempts at the net, with two falling off target and one meeting Maloney in the bottom right. Second-year defender Nicholas Roe also drove a shot to the top center, but Maloney prevented its entrance.

In the 62nd minute, Ivancic was given a yellow card for persistent infringement after knocking into a Rams defender.

After breaking through Loyola’s defense in the 71st minute, Abdul-Mateen found a clear shot and sent a hard line into the top right to score his second goal of the match and extend the lead to 2-0.

Seven minutes later, Salmeron found his way up to the net again as he shot for the bottom left, but Velasco was able to tally his fourth save.

In the 82nd minute, a red card was issued to second-year midfielder David Siemionko for denying a goal scoring opportunity after he ran in front of the goal to block what would’ve been another point for the Rams. Velasco then made the save on the penalty kick on a shot to the bottom left by Comi.

The Rams widened their lead to 3-0 in the 83rd minute after VCU’s first-year forward Hakim Musabbah sent a drive into the bottom right, assisted by Salmon, to secure the win.  

There were three more offensive attempts in the final minutes of the match, two from the Rams and one sent from Von Vegesack, all failing to produce a point. 

Following the loss, head coach Steve Bode said the team will use this match as a learning opportunity going into the next conference game.

“We have to keep our standards high, we have to play with the heart,” Bode said. “We know that we can, like we always do, look at film and improve and get better from this and then use the week to really prepare for Saint Louis next Saturday at our place. So, learn from it, grow, use it as a learning moment. I think that’s the only way to go about it.”

The Ramblers will return to Hoyne Field for Senior Night Oct. 25 where they will face off against Saint Louis University. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m..