BY JEFREY CANOVA, SPORTS STAFFER
The Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer team beat St. Bonaventure University 1-0 on Sunday, dropping the Bonnies’ Atlantic-10 conference record to 2-4-2 (3-6-6 in total) and position to 11th in the standings.
In the first 15 minutes, the Rams’ aggressive press and energy caused the Bonnies to lose the ball, creating opportunities to score and commanding control of the game. Just three minutes in, VCU midfielder Kanna Matsuhisa missed a shot from outside the left-hand of the box after she stole the ball from Bonnies forward McKenna Robinson during a throw-in near the touchline.
Near the 12th minute, Bonaventure defender Hannah Walker saved the Bonnies from conceding as she blocked Rams midfielder Anna Bagley’s shot from heading towards the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Bagley attempted to score again as the blocked ball landed for her, but Bonnies’ midfielder Christine Napoli also blocked her attempt inside the box.
In the 22nd minute, the Rams had another opportunity to score. Matsuhisa’s pressing caused the Bonnies to lose the ball and Rams defender Lindsey Munyak to pass the recovered ball toward Rams forward Kendyl Sarver, delivering a bottom-driven cross from inside the upper left side of the box to Matsuhisa. However, Bonnies’ goalkeeper Chiara Gottinger prevented her shot from entering the bottom right corner of the net.
VCU ended the first half with 14 shots (four on goal) and seven corner kicks; the Bonnies had two shots (none on goal) and no corners.
Donny George, the Bonnies women’s soccer coach, said that his team played sufficiently well, even with VCU’s early control.
“The first half, I thought, leaned to two ways. The first 10-15 minutes of the game went towards them. We knew they would come here and press us. They had lots of high energy and were very motivated,” said George. “After about 15 minutes, I thought we had more control. We started to play our style, and I thought it was an even half going in at halftime.”
The Bonnies began the second half stronger as their team press on the Rams’ backline allowed them to move the ball up to their forwards and recover it from midfield. Despite their improved start, the Rams bothered the Bonnies’ backline as they continued creating dangerous opportunities. In the 54th minute, Bagley, now positioned on the right wing, cut to her left foot inside the penalty box but missed her shot as the ball went outside the right side of the net.
In the 75th minute, Sarver crushed the hearts of a firm Bonnies defense after a one-two combination between Sarver and VCU forward Paige Hoeger opened up for Saver to blast a shot from the top of the left side of the 18 past Gottinger. Sarver ended the Rams’ five-game scoreless streak.
For the final 15 minutes, the Bonnies fought until the end to even the tie with Bonaventure forward Ami Komori leading the charge. In the 87th minute, a mistimed clearance from VCU defender Jordyn Hall landed for Komori inside the box as she attempted to curl the ball to the top right side of the net. Still, VCU goalkeeper Allison Karpovich saved her shot and sealed VCU’s first win after five winless games.
George elaborated on the teams’ halftime talk and the positives taken away from executing their second-half tactic with their team press.
“Like how they got us the first ten minutes of the first half, we planned to get out and get them for the first 15 minutes,” said George. “I don’t think they’ve seen a team like us press them. VCU never goes out of the back, and today, they were forced to go along every time because of the pressure our team put on them. We wanted to get their heads down and limit their touches on the back line to one or two.”
The Rams finished the game with 23 shots (six on goal). The Bonnies finished with six shots (two on target). Gottinger made five crucial saves throughout the game.
Despite going five consecutive games without scoring from open play, George still praises the team as he understands it’s their first year together under a new system.
“Realistically, the girls have had their first season and A-10 season with me. This is a project that is going to take more than one year,” said George. “If you look at all our games, our games are always tight, and for a team that was picked to finish with the table, I think we’ve done an incredible job.”
The Bonnies have two conference games remaining before the season ends. The Bonnies will play at George Mason University (2-15-0, 2-7-0 in conference) at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. They return home for their final game against George Washington University on Sunday, Oct. 22. The Bonnies will honor their graduating players on Sunday for Senior Day.
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