Bowie Named Preseason All-American by CollegeSoccerNews.com


RICHMOND, Va. – VCU Men's Soccer senior Romena Bowie was named a Third Team Preseason All-American by CollegeSoccerNews.com, announced by the publication on Tuesday.

Bowie has been a staple in the Rams midfield over the past three seasons and has appeared in 57 matches, making 52 starts. He has assisted on four goals during his career, including two last season.

In 2012, the Saint Mary, Jamaica native was named First Team All-Atlantic 10 as well as garnering First Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors announced by the NSCAA.

CollegeSoccerNews.com was established in 2001 as a premier source of men's college soccer information. Since then, CSN has provided weekly analysis, news articles, polls, and awards.

Bowie and the rest of the men's soccer team play one of the most challenging schedules in the country in 2013. The Rams open play against UAB on Aug. 30 at Sports Backers Stadium.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...0716fl77x8

Rams Ranked No. 24 in NSCAA Preseason Poll;
Bowie, Castillo Among Top 100 Players

RICHMOND, Va. – VCU's men's soccer program continues to earn the respect of its peers after turning in its best season in nearly a decade. The Rams, a national seed in last year's NCAA College Cup, will enter the 2013 campaign ranked 24th in the NSCAA Top 25 poll. Meanwhile, senior midfielder Romena Bowie and sophomore defender Dennis Castillo were each listed among TopDrawerSoccer.com's preseason list of the nation's 100-best players.

In all, VCU is set to face eight teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 this fall, including defending national champion and top-ranked Indiana, and No. 2 Maryland. Six of the Rams' 2013 opponents rank among the top 15, four of which will visit Sports Backers Stadium, including a trip from the Hoosiers on Oct. 18.

VCU, which spent the final four weeks (five overall) in the Top 25 last season, defeated three ranked opponents in 2012 by a combined 9-2. The Rams went on to win 12 matches, their most since 2007, en route to a national seed and first round bye in the NCAA Tournament.

The duo of Bowie and Castillo played an important role in VCU's success last season, and will be looked upon to continue that momentum this fall. On Tuesday, national publication Top Drawer Soccer graded the pair among the 100-best players in the nation.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...0813hvr8hu

VCU’s Bowie Named to Prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University Men's Soccer senior midfielder Romena Bowie has quietly made a name for himself on a national level during his three seasons with the Rams. That hard work is paying off as Bowie, on Tuesday, was named to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. The award is given annually to the nation's top collegiate soccer player.

Bowie has been a staple in VCU's midfield since arriving on campus in 2010, assisting on four goals in 57 matches. The Saint Mary, Jamaica native, who was a first team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection in 2012, was named preseason All-America by College Soccer News, and was recently graded by national publication Top Drawer Soccer as one of the best players in the country. Following a strong junior campaign, he was also selected to the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region First Team to go along with his all-conference citation.

Bowie was chosen as a member of the Jamaican Senior National Team Camp in 2010, and currently serves as a member of the Jamaican Olympic Team Pool.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...0820uz7rs7

Men’s Soccer Picked to Finish Second in A-10, Five Rams Earn Preseason All-Conference Honors

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth University Men's Soccer program was picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2013, according to a vote of the league's head coaches. In addition, five Rams earned preseason individual honors.

2013 Atlantic 10 Predicted Order of Finish
1. Saint Louis (11) 143
2. VCU (1) 133
3. George Mason 113
4. Dayton 112
5. La Salle 89
6. Fordham 84
7. Duquesne 70
8. Rhode Island 51
9. Massachusetts 50
10. George Washington 48
11. St. Bonaventure 28
12. Saint Joseph's 15

2013 Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Team
F – Simon Gomez, Duquesne
F – Robert Kristo, Saint Louis
F – Emmett O'Connor, St. Bonaventure
M - Romena Bowie, VCU
M - David Graydon, Saint Louis
M - Jason Plumhoff, La Salle
M - Alex Sweetin, Saint Louis
D - Dennis Castillo, VCU
D - Anthony Manning Saint Louis
D - Juan Monge Solano, VCU
GK - John McCarthy, La Salle

2013 Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Rookie Team
David Andre, Saint Louis, (GK; FR)
Dakota Barnathan, VCU, (DCM; FR)
Arnaud Cesarini, Duquesne, (MF; SO)
James Haupt, Dayton, (MF; FR)
Zach Herstek, George Mason, (MF; FR)
Andrew Hickey, Fordham, (D; FR)
Pablo Paz, VCU, (ACM; SO)
Joe Saad, Saint Louis, (MF/F; FR)


http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...0821aocq23

Mens Soccer
Friday, August 30, 2013 04:30 PM EST
High Point 2:3 Old Dominion
Sports Backers Stadium • Richmond, Va.

VCU Nike Classic

Mens Soccer
Friday, August 30, 2013 07:00 PM EST
VCU 0:4 UAB
Sports Backers Stadium • Richmond, Va.

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Mens Soccer
Sunday, September 1, 2013 04:30 PM EST
High Point vs. UAB
Sports Backers Stadium • Richmond, Va.

VCU Nike Classic

Mens Soccer
Sunday, September 1, 2013 07:00 PM EST
VCU vs. ODU
Sports Backers Stadium • Richmond, Va.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
New Mexico held a 21-5 advantage in shots; however, just six were on goal. Meanwhile, three of VCU's five shots were on frame.
Owusu registered his first career assist on Fisher's goal.
Belmar led the Rams with two shots, both on frame.
Wells collected five saves in the net for VCU.
Calderon fired a game-high nine shots for New Mexico.

QUOTABLE:
"I was proud of the guys' effort tonight against a very good New Mexico team. We had a very good week of training and we felt much more prepared to play tonight than we did last weekend. Now we'll need to turn it around for another tough game at Maryland on Sunday."
-Head Coach Dave Giffard

WHAT'S AHEAD:
VCU travels to No. 13 Maryland on Sunday, Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from College Park. The Rams continue their three-match road swing with a visit to fifth-ranked Akron on Sept. 13 before facing Niagara on Sept. 15. VCU returns to Sports Backers Stadium on Sept. 21 against No. 12 Coastal Carolina.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...090613uxe5

VCU Nets Three Goals in Final 13 Minutes
to Upset No. 13 Maryland 3-2

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No. 19 VCU Wins Third Straight With 1-0 Victory Over Niagara, Rams Capture Akron Tournament Title


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VCU Men’s Soccer Moves Up to No. 8 in NSCAA Poll,
Marks Highest Ranking Since 2004


RICHMOND, Va. – It doesn't take long to realize fourth-year head coach Dave Giffard has a master plan.

His blueprint for turning the men's soccer program back into a national contender is right on schedule as VCU is ranked No. 8 in the latest NSCAA poll, its highest mark since finishing seventh after a NCAA Quarterfinal appearance in 2004.

VCU, which moved up 11 spots in this week's poll, is 3-0-1 in its last four matches, including back-to-back shutouts at No. 7 Akron and against 2012 NCAA Tournament participant Niagara. The Rams also knocked off No. 13 Maryland on the road, and battled ninth-ranked New Mexico to a 1-1 draw during that stretch.

Even more impressive, Giffard's Rams, who are 5-1-1 against ranked opponents the last two seasons, are having this success despite playing arguably the most challenging non-conference schedule in the country this fall as all 11 opponents qualified for the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Eight were also ranked in the preseason Top 25.

The Rams have come a long way in three short years as Giffard inherited a program that won just five games in 2009, while finishing ninth or worse in conference play in three of the previous four seasons. Fast-forward to 2013 and VCU is back on the national stage with its first Top 10 ranking in nearly a decade

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VCU Suffers Heartbreaking 2-1 Double OT Loss at Virginia


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VCU Wins Third Straight,
Defeats Rhode Island 3-1 to Remain Perfect in A-10 Play


http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1013rr715q

DOWN GOES IU!
DOWN GOES IU!

VCU Defeats Defending National Champ Indiana 1-0, Rams Pick Up Fourth Straight Win

THE BASICS:
Sophomore Dennis Castillo converted a penalty kick in the 68th minute to lift VCU to a 1-0 victory over defending national champion Indiana on Friday evening at Sports Backers Stadium.

VCU continues to add to its impressive list of wins over marquee programs this season, including Indiana, Akron and Maryland.

The Rams extended their season-long win streak to four matches, outscoring opponents 10-2 during that stretch. VCU has also won seven of its last 10 outings.

The Black and Gold posted its second shutout in its last three games.


http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1018oedsrh

VCU Battles George Mason to Scoreless Draw,
Pushes Unbeaten Streak to Five


HOW IT HAPPENED:

VCU had a trio of early looks as freshman Rahim Costa-Dorsey, who made his first career start, fired wide in the third minute before Mason goalkeeper Steffen Kraus made a snag on junior Mario Herrera Meraz's header shot in the fifth minute. Kraus came up with another save on a shot off the foot of sophomore Devon Fisher four minutes later.
Rams senior goalkeeper Andrew Wells also made a pair of early stops in both the eighth and 17th minutes.
Herrera Meraz had another look in the 24th minute but Kraus posted his third save to keep the match scoreless.
Junior Kharlton Belmar tried to give VCU the lead with just over a minute left before intermission; however, Kraus was there for another stop.
Wells collected three second-half saves to keep George Mason out of the net.
Belmar's header shot went wide in the 82nd minute before junior Jose Manel's offering less than two minutes later also missed wide.
Manel had another look two minutes into the first overtime but Kraus made his fifth stop of the night. Belmar then fired a shot high in the 94th minute.
George Mason's Hugh Roberts drilled the post in the 96th minute.
Wells made a save on a shot from Julio Arjona with four minutes left.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1020a62e7e

No. 24 VCU Posts Third Straight Shutout,
Moves into First Place in A-10 with 3-0 Win Over La Salle


THE BASICS:

No. 24 VCU posted its third straight shutout, fourth in its last five matches, and moved into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10 with a 3-0 victory against La Salle on Friday night at Sports Backers Stadium.

The Rams push their unbeaten streak to six matches. VCU is also 8-3-2 in its last 13 outings, including wins over defending national champion Indiana, 2010 national champ Akron and 2012 Final Four participant Maryland.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1025lg8iyy

THE BOX SCORE:

VCU held a 14-3 advantage in shots, including an 8-0 margin in shots on goal.
Harvey netted his second game-winner of the year in his final regular season match at Sports Backers Stadium.
Senior goalkeeper Andrew Wells has allowed just three goals in his last 740 minutes, including five clean sheets in his last seven outings.
Belmar scored his fifth goal of the season, while Herrera Meraz found the net for the first time.
The Rams finished their 2013 home slate 6-2-1.

WHAT'S AHEAD: VCU closes out the regular season with back-to-back road matches at St. Bonaventure on Nov. 8 and Duquesne on Nov. 10.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...11035ba3lu