Athletic Director Norwood Teague CAA Regular Season 2nd College Cup Did not qualify | Head Coach Dave Giffard CAA Tournament Semifinals Highest home attendance 506 vs. Drexel | |
 | ||
The VCU Rams men's soccer teams represent Virginia Commonwealth University in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I competition. Located in Richmond, Virginia, United States, the men's soccer program began its official participation as a varsity sport in 1978.
2010
The 2010 VCU Rams men's soccer team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2010 NCAA Division I men's soccer season.
In the team's history, this was the first time they were no led by former head coach, Tim O'Sullivan who was released of his coaching duties following a poor showing in 2009. Dave Giffard, a former assistant coach for the University of Akron Zips took over managerial duties. In his first season, the Rams finished second in the regular season, posting their best performance since their dynasty run from 2001 through 2004.
Review
Ahead of the Rams' 2010 season, the team played two preseason friendlies against the two national finalists in the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, their instate, intra-conference rivals, the Virginia Cavaliers, and the Akron Zips, the former university where Giffard was an assistant at. Both matches ended in defeats for the Rams, losing 1–0 to the Cavaliers and 3–1 to the Zips.
The regular season began with the Rams hosting the 2010 edition of the VCU Tournament, which involved the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. Played from September 4–6, the Rams played the Eagles in the first match, which ended in a 2–1 overtime defeat. The match saw the Rams opening the scoresheet thanks to a 16th-minute goal from Yoram Mwila, only for FGCU's Delon Jones to tie in the 40th minute, and for the Eagles' Matt Oshaughnessy to score the golden goal moments prior to end of overtime.
On September 6, the Rams concluded the tournament through a 2–0 victory against Coastal Carolina. C. J. Gehin-Scott and Peter Lee netted the two goals for the Rams.
Continuing their interconference play, the Rams traveled to Spartansburg, South Carolina to take on the Wofford Terriers, in a match that ended in a scoreless draw. Following a September 10 tie, the Rams hosted two non-CAA opponents, the Howard Bison and their crosstown rivals, the Richmond Spiders. The Rams played the Bison and the Spiders on September 12 and 15, respectively. The Rams earned a 3–0 victory against Howard before a 3–1 victory against Richmond.
The two-match winning streak ended, with two-consecutive draws, drawing instate, interconference rivals, Longwood, 1–1. The September 22 draw against Longwood came thanks to a late 81st minute equalizer from Gehin-Scott. Subsequently, the Rams hosted Northeastern to open up intra-conference play. The September 25 match ended in 2–2 draw, after VCU surrendered two one-goal leads.
Concluding the month, the Rams played at Georgia State, where the Rams posted a crucial 2–0 road victory. Jason Johnson netted both goals for the Rams, scoring in the 25th and 87th minutes.
The final month of the Rams' 2010 campaign involved two final regular season matches and a CAA tournament match. The opening game of the month was a regular season match on November 3, at James Madison. The Rams rallied from a 1–0 deficit to take 3–1 lead, before the Dukes added a consolation goal in the 85th minute. The win ensured VCU's place in the CAA tournament, as well as a bye to the tournament semi-finals. The berth, marked the first time since 2007 that the Rams qualified for the CAA Men's Soccer Tournament.
Four days later, the Rams concluded the regular season with a 1–0 loss at Delaware, in a match where the Rams fielded primarily reserve players, in order to rest their starters for the CAA tournament.
On November 12, the Rams opened their tournament campaign against third-place Hofstra at Albert-Daly Field in Williamsburg, Virginia. Previously the two sides played to a 1–1 draw back in October. For the first 75 minutes of play, the match remained gridlocked at zero. In the 76th minute, VCU's Alberto Fonseca netted the opening goal giving the Rams a 1–0 lead. However, the lead was short-lived, as Hofstra's Tyler Botte drew the Pride level 10 minutes later, only for the Pride to take the lead in the 90th minute, with five seconds remaining in regulation. Hofstra's Johannes Grann scored the match-winning goal. Hofstra would eventually end up as the CAA Tournament runners-up, losing to William & Mary in the final.
Despite the semifinal elimination in the CAA Tournament, the Rams looked to be possible contenders to receive an at-large bid into the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. However, the NCAA opted to select the Old Dominion Monarchs as the CAA's lone at-large bid.
Roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Match results
Lists of matches, featuring result, attendance (where available) and scorers, grouped by competition (league, cup, other competition). Do not include friendly matches.
Legend
Preseason
All times in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Regular season
CAA Tournament
2011
The 2011 VCU Rams men's soccer team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2011 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. For the Rams, it was the 32nd season fielding a varsity soccer program, and their 17th in the Colonial Athletic Association.
The team was led by second year head coach, Dave Giffard, a former assistant for the Akron Zips. Giffard, in his first season, managed the team to second place in the Colonial Athletic Association during the regular season, before losing in the semifinals of the CAA. Despite a better conference and overall record in conference and overall play, the Rams finished in a joint-tie for sixth place in the CAA with Georgia State. The Rams, though, missed the CAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons due to losing the first tiebreaker, which was head-to-head record. Consequently, the Rams were the only men's soccer team in the nation with both a winning conference and overall record to not qualify for their conference tournament.
On August 26, the Rams opened up their regular season with a 4–1 home victory against Navy, and they will conclude the regular season on November 4 at Delaware.
Review
Managed by newly appointed head coach, Dave Giffard, the Rams were able to qualify for the Colonial Athletic Association tournament for the first time since 2007. Additionally, the Rams finished with a CAA record of 5-2-4, strong enough to finish second in the regular season standings. It is Giffard's second season coaching the team as they try to build upon a runner-up title in the CAA regular season.
On July 6, the university announced the men's soccer schedule for 2011, which included the season opener against Navy on August 26. The team was to play every other college in its conference once, varying either at home or away, tallying for 11 matches. Including tournaments, the Rams were to play a total of eight non-conference games, two of which during the regular season.
On August 15, the CAA coaches poll predicted VCU to finish second in the regular season, behind ODU and ahead of William & Mary.
The Rams began their 2011 campaign at home against the Navy Midshipmen, defeating them 4–1 in the process. While there was speculation that the match may be postponed due to severe weather from Hurricane Irene, the match was still scheduled on time. Yoyo Mwila scored two goals for the Rams coming late in the match. Three days later, the Rams continued their winning streak with an extra time, golden goal victory over Georgetown, winning 1–0. Assisted by Yoyo Mwila, Juan Arbelaez scored the match-winning goal.
In the team's first match of September, the Rams played their crosstown rivals, the Richmond Spiders. The match, in part of the annual VCU Soccer Tournament was played at Sports Backers Stadium on September 2. In the first half, the Rams dominated possession, outshooting the Spiders 8–1 in the first half. However, the Spiders took the lead thanks to a brace from Spencer Schiff in the 47th minute of play. In the 61st minute of play Rams strikers, Juan Arbelaez hit a shot that the Spiders' goalkeeper, Thomas Hand, could not hold on to leading to VCU midfielder, Juan Monge Solano, drawing the match at 1–1. Six minutes later, Garrett Harvey would convert a corner kick from Nick Rich to give the Rams the game-winning goal, and an undefeated 3–0–0 record.
Two days later, the Rams closed out the tournament winning 4–0 over Elon.
Following the team's 4–0–0 start, in the NSCAA Coaches Poll, the Rams were ranked sixteenth in the nation, being one of only two Colonial Athletic Association teams to be nationally ranked. It was the first time since 2004 the Rams were ranked inside the Top 20 by the NSCAA. Additionally, Soccer America Magazine ranked VCU twenty-second in the nation.
On September 9, VCU defeat USC Upstate 4–0 to begin the Coastal Carolina Tournament. The win improved their record to 5–0–0, their best start since 2003.
After winning their first five matches, the team would lose their next four matches consecutively, the first two being extra time loses. The Rams lost 2–1 in extra time to Coastal Carolina and University of Alabama, Birmingham on September 11 and 15, respectively. The loses dropped VCU in the NSCAA National Rankings from sixteenth to twentieth. After a September 18 loss to Gardner-Webb, the Rams fell out of the rankings.
In their first conference game, on September 24, VCU lost 2–1 to Northeastern.
The first two matches of October were against two of the Rams' largest rivals, the George Mason Patriots and the Old Dominion Monarchs. On October 2, following a four match skid, the Rams ended the losing streak with a 1–0 win at home to the Patriots. The match-winning goal came in the 72nd minute from Yoyo Mwila. The win was also the Rams' first conference win of the season.
Four days later, on October 5, the Rams traveled to Norfolk to take on the Monarchs, who were at the time ranked 20th in the nation. The Monarchs posted a 4–0 at home to the Rams, making it the largest defeat the Rams suffered of the season.
After the loss at ODU, the Rams traveled northbound to take on CAA minnows, Hofstra Pride for an October 8 fixture. The Rams posted a 3–0 victory, making it their largest road victory of the season since their match against Coastal Carolina. Despite the three goal advantage, head coach Giffard expressed dissatisfaction that it took till the 76th minute of play for the opening goal to be scored.
Upon the two-match CAA road swing, the Rams played at home against James Madison Dukes, who were at the top of the CAA table prior to the match. The Dukes, having one of their strongest seasons in program history, had yet to lose a conference match. Goals from Jason Johnson and Yoyo Mwila resulted in an eventual 2–1 home victory. On October 15, the Rams faced the William & Mary Tribe, in front of a crowd of 987 spectators, the largest home crowd for the Rams of the season. Despite two shots that hit the post from VCU's Nick Rich, the Rams fell 1–0 to the Tribe.
On October 28, the Rams played at High Point University and lost 3–2. The match was on televised live on Fox Soccer Channel making it the first time in history the Rams were televised on national television. Needing a full three points against Georgia State, the Rams fell 1–0 to the Panthers with only 10 men. They then won 3–1 against Delaware to close out the season.
Schedule
Roster
As of July 20, 2011
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Statistics
Transfers
Awards
2012
2013
2014
The 2014 VCU Rams men's soccer team was the college's 35th season of playing organized men's college soccer, and their third season playing in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Schedule
2015
The 2015 VCU Rams men's soccer team will represent Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2015 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It will be the 36th season of the university fielding a program.
The Rams begin the season on August 28 hosting Akron.
Roster
As of September 8, 2015
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Schedule
Player movement
Rankings
2016
The 2016 VCU Rams men's soccer team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2016 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It was the 37th season of the university fielding a program. The Rams were coached by seventh-year head coach, David Giffard and played home matches at Sports Backers Stadium near the Scott's Addition neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia.
The Rams, for the second-consecutive season, reached the championship of the Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Tournament, but lost to Fordham in penalty kicks in the final, failing to earn a berth into the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. The Rams picked up a sub .500 record during the season, but managed to win one match against a ranked opponent, beating then-number 23, Vermont, 2-1, and picking up a scoreless road draw at then-number 25, Akron.
Roster
As of July 31, 2016.Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Schedule
2017
The 2017 VCU Rams men's soccer team will represent Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2017 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It will be the 38th season of the university fielding a program. The Rams will be lead by eighth year head coach, Dave Giffard.
Background
The Rams team finished the 2016 season 8–9–4, 4–3–1 in A10 play to earn a berth into the 2016 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Tournament. They defeated UMass and Dayton to advance to the A10 Championship, where they lost to Fordham. The Rams did not earn an at-large berth into the 2016 NCAA Tournament.