RICHMOND, Va. – The VCU Men's Soccer team has already earned the respect of its Atlantic 10 Conference peers. On Thursday, the Rams were selected to finish third out of 16 teams in the league's annual preseason coaches poll.

2012 A-10 Men's Soccer Predicted Order of Finish (2011 record)

1. Charlotte (16-5-4/6-1-2 A-10)
2. Xavier (12-5-4/4-3-2 A-10)
3. VCU (11-9/6-5 CAA)
4. Saint Louis (6-10-1/4-5 A-10)
5. Fordham (11-7-1/7-2 A-10)
6. George Washington (10-6-3/7-2 A-10)
7. Butler (7-8-3/2-4-2 Horizon)
La Salle (7-9-4/4-2-3 A-10)
9. Duquesne (7-9-2/4-4-1 A-10)
10. Dayton (5-13-1/4-4-1 A-10)
11. Temple (9-10/5-4 A-10)
12. Rhode Island (7-10-1/4-4-1 A-10)
13. Massachusetts (4-13-2/2-5-2 A-10)
14. Richmond (5-12-1/4-5 A-10)
15. St. Bonaventure (4-12-3/0-7-2 A-10)
16. Saint Joseph's (2-15-0/1-8 A-10)

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...080205osmy

Men's Soccer Player to Watch:
Juan Monge Solano
By Andrew Phillips

RICHMOND, Va. – The transition from high school to college is already tough. Add that to being a student-athlete, plus being in a new country, and for some, it is almost too much to handle.

VCU Men's Soccer sophomore Juan Monge Solano accomplished all of those feats, and did so in impressive fashion with a breakout rookie campaign in 2011. The Rams' left back scored five times, and assisted on another goal to finish with 11 points. It didn't take long for his peers to notice his impact as the awards started rolling in, including several Freshman All-America citations.

"There's no doubt Juan had a strong freshman year," said VCU Head Coach Dave Giffard. "I don't think that the college game is littered with left backs who can do what Juan can do, so as a freshman he garnered a lot of attention and recognition."

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...08147u5w77

VCU Battles Lengthy Weather Delays
in Exhibition Match at #21 UAB


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The VCU men's soccer team battled through several lengthy weather delays Saturday night in a narrow 2-1 loss at 21st-ranked UAB.

The Rams and Blazers, who ended up playing three 35-minute periods in what was VCU's only exhibition match of the preseason, were delayed for more than two hours total before completing the contest. Both teams waited out a nearly 30-minute delay prior to kickoff. Play was halted again for nearly 90 minutes after the first period.

"Tonight was a great exhibition game for us," said VCU Head Coach Dave Giffard. "UAB is a very good team who was a seed in last year's NCAA Tournament. Not only did we get 70 good minutes for our starters, we also got an additional 35 for the rest of the team. Those are minutes that will be extremely valuable for us as we enter the regular season, especially with our Friday, Sunday format in both the early season tournaments as well as the A-10."

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...09074jhuee

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...09092o319c

Jason Johnson Named A-10 Men's Soccer Player of the Week


Richmond, Va. – After a 2-0 weekend for the VCU Men's Soccer team in the Stihl Classic, junior forward Jason Johnson was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week on Monday.

Johnson scored three of his team-high four goals over the weekend. He also fired 12 shots with seven on goal, and was named to the All-Tournament team.

The Saint Mary, Jamaica native converted a penalty kick in the 84th minute in the Rams' 3-0 win over Winthrop on Friday. Johnson then added two more goals in VCU's 5-1 win over the Big East's Seton Hall on Sunday. He got the Rams on the board first with a goal in the 19th minute, and later added an insurance score in the 68th minute.

Johnson, who leads VCU in points with nine, has four goals and one assist so far this season. He has also fired a team-high 25 shots, including 12 on goal.

VCU is now unbeaten through its first five matches in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. The Rams will look to continue that streak on Friday, Sept. 14 when they head the Sunshine State to battle Florida Gulf Coast. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...0914dvsyi7

VCU has set a reg. season record tonight for attendance with 2242.
Over 1300 students here.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Northeastern (5-1-2) began the game on the attack early with Terrance Carter firing a shot in the first minute, but the shot was wide. In the third minute Donovan Fayd came up with another chance for Northeastern, however, redshirt junior goalkeeper Andrew Wells was there for the stop.

VCU (4-1-3) would mount a counter attack in the sixth minute, when sophomore Mario Herrera Meraz fired a shot, but Northeastern goalkeeper Oliver Blum was there for the save.

In the 12th minute the Rams would take the lead. Junior Nate Shiffman sent a through ball into the box, where classmate Jason Johnson slipped the ball past Blum and into the left corner of the goal to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.

VCU would continue on the attack, after the goal. The Black and Gold fired five shots in a six minute span midway through the first half. Jack Bates, Joseph Haboush, Shiffman, Romena Bowie, and Mario Herrera Meraz all taking shots, but they were blocked.

Northeastern would tie the match in the 58th minute. Dante Marini sent a ball in the box to Don Anding, who was able to put the ball in the left corner of the goal to knot the score at one.

Off of a free kick in the 66th minute, Shiffman had a chance to give the Rams a lead once again, but his shot was saved by Blum.

In the 82nd minute senior Juan Arbelaez rocketed a shot from the right wing that was saved by Blum.

Northeastern opened up the attack in the first overtime. Fayd had a look from just outside of the box, and VCU stepped in front of the shot to keep the game tied.

VCU's opportunity in the first overtime was in the 96th minute. Johnson took a shot, however the ball sailed high and over the net.

In the second overtime VCU came up with a chance in the 106th minute. Freshman Devon Fisher took a shot, and Blum came up with the save.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/landing/index

VCU Posts Impressive 4-1 Victory Over 13th-Ranked Charlotte in A-10 Opener


HOW IT HAPPENED:

Thirteenth-ranked Charlotte (6-2-2, 0-1-0), the 2011 NCAA runner-up, got the first chance of the match in the fourth minute. Donnie Smith had a look off of a header, but VCU senior goalkeeper Andrew Wells was there for the save. Rams junior Jason Johnson countered six minutes later but 49ers goalie Klay Davis made a stop.

Following a Charlotte foul inside the box in the 26th minute, sophomore Mario Herrera Meraz converted a penalty kick to put VCU (5-1-2, 1-0-0) in front 1-0.

Charlotte battled back and knotted the game at 1-1 in the 39th minute. Isaac Caughran gathered the ball off of a deflection and fired a shot into the right corner of the net for what proved to be the 49ers' only goal of the match.

VCU wasted little time regaining the lead. Herrera Meraz sent a pass to sophomore Juan Monge Solano. Solano then lifted a cross into the box, where Devon Fisher ripped a shot off Davis and into the net for the eventual game-winning score.

The Black and Gold added another goal in the 63rd minute when senior Juan Arbelaez connected with Johnson. Arbelaez sent a cross into the box where Johnson slid on the ground and directed the ball into the net.

The Rams added one more insurance goal in the 71st minute. After a corner kick by Herrera Meraz, junior Garrett Harvey slipped a shot past Davis in front of a crowded net to put VCU ahead 4-1.

Charlotte continued to fight but VCU's defense held strong. In the 75th minute, the 49ers' Dominic Bonilla had a look but Fisher stepped in front of the net to knock the shot away. Then in the 77th minute, Robby Thomas had a chance from the top of the box but Wells came up with a diving stop.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...10053hz7ov

VCU Cruises to 3-0 Shutout Against George Washington


HOW IT HAPPENED:
After tallying four of the first five shots of the match, VCU (6-1-3, 2-0-0 A-10) got on the board in the 27th minute. Junior Jason Johnson fired a shot, which deflected off George Washington goalkeeper Alejandro Almodovar. Freshman Devon Fisher then fired back the rebound into the top left of the net for a 1-0 lead.

With just over 11 minutes to play in the opening period, Johnson maneuvered through the George Washington defense and into the box, where he ripped a shot from the top of the 18' but sailed wide to the far post.

The Rams, who were at it again in the 37th minute, took a 2-0 advantage on Johnson's team-leading eighth goal of the season. Senior Brad Seymour sent a pass to sophomore Kharlton Belmar at the top of the box. Belmar directed the ball off his chest to Johnson, who then played a shot off Almodovar and into the net.

George Washington (4-7-0, 1-1-0) tried to cut the deficit in half in the 66th minute on a free kick by Glen Sousa, but VCU goalkeeper Andrew Wells punched the shot over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, Tyler Ranalli got his head on the ball but sailed just high.
VCU added an insurance score in the 70th minute.

Sophomore Mario Herrera Meraz played a long pass to Belmar on the left wing, who then drove toward the goal and beat Almodovar to make it 3-0.

Wells made a stop again in the 79th minute off a shot from Jack Lopez to preserve the shutout.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1007gfvtke

VCU's Johnson Named NCAA, A-10 Men's Soccer Player of the Week;
Fisher Earns College Soccer News National Team of the Week.


RICHMOND, Va. – Junior Jason Johnson and freshman Devon Fisher received weekly awards Monday after helping lead VCU to a pair of wins over the weekend. Johnson garnered both NCAA and Atlantic 10 Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week accolades, while Fisher was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.

The duo made a splash in their A-10 debuts, leading VCU to a perfect 2-0 week, including a 4-1 win over No. 13 Charlotte on Friday night, the Rams' first victory against a ranked opponent in six years. The Black and Gold also handed the 2011 NCAA Runner-up its worst loss in nearly three seasons. VCU followed with a 3-0 victory over reigning A-10 regular season champion George Washington on Sunday.

Johnson finished the week with a team-leading two goals and two assists. He scored in the 63rd minute to extend VCU's lead to 3-1 against Charlotte before assisting on the Rams' final score in the 71st minute. On Sunday, Johnson provided the game-winning assist in the 27th minute before adding a goal in the 37th against George Washington.

Fisher, meanwhile, scored both of VCU's game-winning goals over the weekend. He put the Rams on top 2-1 in the 42nd minute against Charlotte before giving VCU a 1-0 advantage in the 27th minute against the Colonials.

Johnson currently ranks second in the A-10 with eight goals and 19 points, while Fisher's four goals are the second-most among freshmen.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1008jr508v

Ranked No. 21 in NSCAA Top 25 Poll


RICHMOND, Va. – After suffering just one loss in its first 10 matches of the season, the VCU Men's Soccer team received national recognition on Tuesday, entering the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Continental Tire Top 25 poll. The Rams, who garnered a total of 106 points, are ranked No. 21. VCU also is ranked No. 24 by Soccer Times.

The ranking marks the second time in as many seasons the Rams have appeared in the NSCAA poll. VCU spent two weeks in the poll last year, ranked as high as No. 16. The Rams are part of three Atlantic 10 teams in this week's poll, joining No. 13 Xavier and No. 22 Charlotte. VCU defeated then 13th-ranked 49ers 4-1 on Oct. 5.

The Black and Gold ranks 15th in the nation, scoring better than two goals per game. Junior Jason Johnson is tied for eighth in the country in goals scored (8), while classmate Andrew Wells is tied for 25th in save percentage (.825). Wells also boasts the nation's 16th-best goals against average (0.65).

The Rams hit the road for four straight matches beginning Friday, Oct. 12 against Saint Louis. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EST. VCU then travels to Butler on Sunday, Oct. 14.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...10090xxtm6

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1012no4ot1

Castillo's Goal in 87th Minute Gives VCU 1-0 Win at Butler

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Neither team collected a shot in the early going until VCU junior Jason Johnson fired a look just wide in the 19th minute.

Butler had a pair of chances during a two-minute span beginning in the 24th minute, but neither shot was on target. Jeff Adkins missed wide left in the 24th minute and Blake Leyden pushed a shot high in the 26th.

The first shot on goal didn't come until the second half, when VCU had two chances. Johnson had a pair of looks in the 55th and 57th minutes but Butler goalkeeper Jon Dawson made saves on both attempts.

Sophomore Jose Manel fired two shots on frame in the 66th and 70th minutes, but couldn't find the net.

Butler tried to take the lead in the 78th minute on a shot from Brycen Howard but VCU redshirt junior goalkeeper Andrew Wells was there for the stop to keep the match scoreless.

The Rams threatened again late in the match. In the 86th minute, redshirt freshman Devon Fisher launched a shot on goal, but Dawson made his sixth save, but the ball deflected out of bounds to set up a corner kick.

Sophomore Mario Herrera Meraz took the ensuing corner and found Castillo, who sent a header into the net to give VCU a 1-0 advantage with only three minutes remaining.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1014b8x3qb

VCU Battles Fordham to 1-1 Draw

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Sophomore Mario Herrera Meraz had a look in the 14th minute but his shot was blocked. Fordham goalkeeper Sean Brailey made his first save of the game on an offering by freshman Devon Fisher five minutes later.

VCU goalkeeper Andrew Wells came up with his first stop in the 19th minute on a shot off the foot of Fordham's Kyle Bitterman.

Haboush eventually put VCU (7-2-4, 3-1-1 A-10) in front with his first goal of the season in the 21st minute. Junior Jason Johnson sent a pass to Haboush on the wing, who then fired a quick strike off the crossbar and into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Herrera Meraz had two more looks in the 29th and 39th minutes.

Sophomore Jose Manel's shot went high in the 35th minute and Bitterman came up with a save on a strike by junior Nate Shiffman in the 40th minute.
Steve Nworjih and Tommy Granot each fired a shot for Fordham (5-4-3, 1-1-2 A-10) in the 39th and 42nd minutes, respectively.

Fordham knotted the game at 1-1 in the 72nd minute when Julian Nagal scored off a free kick from about 25 yards out.

VCU was issued a red card less than six minutes later and was forced to play a man down the rest of the way.

Wells made a stop on a header by Ryan Walsh in the 78th minute. He made another save 30 seconds later on a shot from Nagal.

The Black and Gold held a 4-0 advantage in shots during the final 12 minutes of regulation but couldn't find the net.

Junior Assane Keita had a look in the 93rd minute but his attempt went high. Wells made his fourth save less than two minutes later before Brailey made a stop on a shot by Kharlton Belmar in the 98th minute.

Both teams had just one shot apiece in the second overtime.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...10192z542h

VCU Posts 2-1 Road Win Behind Pair of Second Half Johnson Scores


INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
Johnson scored his team-leading 10th and 11th goals for VCU. Sunday also marked his second multi-goal game of the season.
Johnson and Fisher fired four shots apiece for VCU, while eight different Rams collected a shot.

Wells made six saves in the net.

Both teams finished with 18 shots apiece, while VCU held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.

WHAT'S AHEAD:
VCU, which has just three regular season matches remaining, returns home for back-to-back games against Xavier (Oct. 26) and Dayton (Oct. 28). The Rams then conclude their regular season slate at Richmond on Nov. 2.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...102156itw1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=monkqiX3V...r_embedded

VCU Wins Third Straight, Pushes Unbeaten Streak to Five with 3-2 Victory Over Dayton

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
The Rams won their third straight match and pushed their unbeaten streak to five.

Haboush's goal was his second of the season and his first game-winning tally of the year.

Belmar added his fourth goal of the season and his second in as many games.

Castillo's penalty kick was his fourth goal of the season. The San Jose, Costa Rica native is 2-for-2 on PKs this year.

Herrera Meraz added two assists, good for his team-leading eighth of the season.

Wells made four saves for the Rams, all in the second half.

VCU honored its five seniors prior to the match: Haboush, Arbeleaz, Brad Seymour, Chris Maimone and Clark Hankins.

QUOTABLE:
"I was proud of the guys today for a gutsy result against a very good Dayton team. After giving up the two goals, our guys made plays to get the goal and Joey [Haboush] came up big at the best time. That's a great belief builder for our team to know that we can bounce back in the face of adversity, no matter what is happening in the game, regardless of the opponent or conditions. Now we look forward to a big game Friday night against Richmond for the regular season title."
-VCU Head Coach Dave Giffard

WHAT'S AHEAD:
The Rams conclude the regular season with a match at cross-town rival Richmond on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1028q80jna

Herrera Meraz Named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's National Team of the Week


RICHMOND, Va. – Sophomore Mario Herrera Meraz was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's National Team of the Week on Monday after helping lead the VCU men's soccer team to an undefeated weekend in Atlantic 10 play.

Herrera Meraz, who is the second Ram to earn a spot on a national team of the week this season, collected a goal and three assists in VCU's wins over No. 12 Xavier and Dayton. The Black and Gold snapped Xavier's 14-game unbeaten streak, while handing the Musketeers their first lost since Nov. 17, 2011. It was also VCU's second victory against a ranked opponent this season.

Herrera Meraz put VCU in front 1-0 in the ninth minute Friday night against Xavier, before assisting on junior Jason Johnson's game-winner in the 24th minute.

The Mexico City, Mexico native also played a key role in the Ram's victory against Dayton when he tallied two assists. In the 38th minute, he found sophomore Kharlton Belmar off of a corner kick for the Rams' second goal of the day. After Dayton rallied to tie the match at 2-2, Herrera Meraz set up Joseph Haboush for the game-winning goal in the 75th minute.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/...1029sx2yqz