Spiders Win Emotional Final Game Versus VCU, 3-2

Sunday, November 1

Robins Stadium (Richmond, Va.)

1:00 PM

University of Richmond

5-12-1, 3-6-1 A-10

VCU

8-8-3, 6-2-2 A-10

VCU

Richmond

11/01/2015 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Richmond Athletics

Richmond's 20^th women's soccer senior day became the 20^th time the Spiders found themselves locked in a battle with VCU and one of its greatest players came through in the clutch to finish the year on a positive note. Tri-captain Ashley Riefner (Mechanicsville, Virginia / Atlee HS) took a good first touch on a pass up the left side of the field and lofted a shot over Rams keeper Emma Kruse in the 82^nd minute to beat the Rams 3-2 at Robins Stadium to complete the 2015 season.

The Spiders finish the year at 5-12-1 overall, 3-6-1 in Atlantic 10 Conference games. VCU's record is 8-8-3, 6-2-2 in the league.

Perhaps it was a “passing of the torch” game, with junior Lindsay Egbers (Centreville, Virginia / Centreville HS) scoring a goal and assisting of both of the others for a career-high four points in the win.

“I couldn't be more proud of these players," said head coach Peter Alrbgith, at the helm for all 20 seasons of Richmond women's soccer. "This game meant so much to these seniors. The whole feeling on the field was a commitment to winning. It's a player's game and they did a fantastic job. We scored some tremendous goals. We talked to them about controlling their performance, which is all that you can control.”

The Rams took control of the game in the first 20 minutes, controlling possession and the flow of the game. In the 14^th minute, VCU got on the board first with a goal from Kelly Graves off a saved shot from Julia Suarez to get the lead.

The score remained tied until the Spiders were able to recover the run of game with crisper passes and more possession. The breakthrough for the equalizer came in the 41^st minute, when Egbers was able to deflect a ball ahead for sophomore Olivia Aha (Norfolk, Massachusetts), who dove feet first to poke a ball past the fingertips of Kruze and the tying goal.

The Spiders produced six shots and three corner kicks in the opening half, with the Rams holding a 9-6 shot lead at the break.

“It was rough at first, but I think we really wanted it more today,” said Riefner after her last game.

Richmond continued to play crisply in the second half, with a beautiful buildup leading to a pass sequence for the goal from Egbers, on assists from freshman Ashley Gross (Hudson, Wisconsin) and Lexi Prillaman (Magnolia, Delaware) for the 2-1 lead.

The Rams came right back and got a great shot up close that was tipped away by UR sophomore keeper Katie Brennan (Fairfield, Connecticut). It took 10 more minutes to create their tying goal, when a header from Sharon Wojcik was saved in front and bounced to Maddi Santo, who deposited the rebound for the score in the 73^rd minute.

Egbers and Prillaman was credited with assists on the Riefner game-winner, her team-leading fourth goal of the year and 13^th of her career. It was sixth career game-winning goal and it pushed her into ninth all-time in program history for career points, with 44.

“Lindsay put it just past the defender and I was able to trap it with my chest, bring it down and it went in,” added Riefner. “I think it was a lucky shot, but it went in and I am really happy about it.”

Riefner led all players with five shot attempts, all of which were on goal. VCU had 18 shots to Richmond's 14.

Kruze had four saves in the loss (8-8-3). Brennan put together a season-high seven saves in the win (3-7-1).

The Spiders honored their six seniors in a pregame ceremony for their final game of 2015.