Ram in Action: Siad Haji

NOAH FLEISCHMAN Contributing Writer

U.S. U20 National Team member and junior midfielder Siad Haji continues to make a major impact this season on the Men’s Soccer team. Haji had a team-high eight assists during his first year with the Black and Gold last fall and will play in the 2019 U20 Men’s World Cup in Poland. This season, Haji led the Rams to two nail-biting wins as he scored the deciding goal in two straight matches, the first against Temple University Aug. 31 in a 1-0 win. Haji’s second game-winner came during a golden goal overtime period against Santa Clara University Sept. 2 to propel the Rams to their third straight shutout victory, 1-0.

When did you first start playing soccer and what was that experience like?

I started playing soccer when I was about five years old. The experience was amazing because I always played in the streets back in Kenya. I always had the ball to my feet at all times, and played every chance I got with my friends.

You played for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the U15, U17 and U19 levels. What did you learn from playing on those teams with the best soccer players in the country?

Playing for the national team is an honor. Being able to receive such opportunity really helped my development as a player growing up. The experience playing with the best players in the country [means] you need to be physically and mentally [fit] every day to train. [The] speed of play is much faster and players are smarter on the ball in terms of choice-making and solving problems on the field. Being with the national team has helped me as a player to play faster, play smarter and staying engaged and giving your best at all times.

You played at New England College your freshman year before transferring to VCU. What’s the difference between the Division III level and the Division I level?

The biggest difference that I’ve noticed with [Division III] level to [Division I] is the speed of play and playing teams that always compete and find ways to win. In [Division I], you are playing the best players in the country, where most games are intense and fast.

Why did you transfer from New England College to VCU?

I transferred from New England College because my goal was to be able to play for a [Division I] school and be in an environment to be able to compete with top college players and also develop as a player.

Last year you were a key player throughout the regular season and the playoffs, leading the team in assists. What was that

Field hockey enjoys record-setting weekend

Contributing Writer

Field Hockey returned to Richmond and picked up two more victories — including an Atlantic-10 Conference win over St. Louis University — setting multiple school records during the big wins at home.

Towson

The Black and Gold defeated the Towson University Tigers in a 9-0 rout Sunday afternoon with five different Rams recording goals at Cary Street Field.

The nine-goal victory marked VCU’s largest goal margin since joining the A-10.

VCU took an early lead as sophomore midfielder Maite Sturm connected on a pass from star senior forward Emily McNamara seven and-a-half minutes into the contest. Sturm also recorded two assists in Sunday’s win.

McNamara recorded her second hat trick of the season, bringing her season goal total to 12. She, like Sturm, added two assists for the Rams.

Graduate midfielder Shannon Pereira scored two goals for the second straight game. Pereira transferred from A-10 foe St. Francis University, where she started all 54 games and received All-Atlantic-10 honors during her three seasons there.

Sophomore midfielder Svea Sturm added two goals for the Rams and freshman defender Litiana Field scored once.

VCU had 35 shots, including 25 shots on goal against the Tigers. Towson recorded four shots and had one on goal.

ST. LOUIS

It was a wet and dreary Friday in Richmond as Hurricane Florence moved up the east coast, but the Black and Gold walked away from St. Louis with a 7-1 win. McNamara led the Rams with four goals.

The six-goal margin of victory was VCU’s second largest since joining the A-10, the largest being a 7-0 victory over La Salle University in 2017. It is now third after Sunday’s 9-0 victory over Towson.

McNamara scored 15 minutes in for her first goal of the game. The tally set a new VCU record of goals and points in a career, breaking Kelsey Scherrer’s 53 goals and 130 points. McNamara logged three more goals in the contest, all in the second half.

Pereira got the scoring started 13 minutes into the match in a one-on-one opportunity. The goal marked Pereira’s first since joining the Rams. Pereira scored again 23 minutes into the game to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Rams. She also recorded two assists in the win over the Billikens.

Maite Sturm added the seventh goal 45 minutes into the game. The goal was the first of the season for Sturm, who scored six last season.

VCU recorded 23 shots and a season-high 19 shots on goal Friday afternoon. St. Louis recorded five total shots, four on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Sasha Elliott recorded three saves.

The Rams continue their 2018 campaign against the University of Richmond Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. at Cary Street Field.

like, scoring regularly throughout the season?

Last year being able to come to VCU and make an impact was my goal. We, as a team, worked really hard to stay compact defensively and also to be able to work for each other for 90 minutes. Every guy on the team wanted to help the team win and that’s why we were successful.

You have earned accolades including Preseason All-Atlantic 10 and A-10 Offensive Player of the Week. Are those awards an added motivation?

Yes, I use these awards as motivation, but what’s more important to me is how we compete as a team and how we get results week-in and week-out. Getting better on areas that we aren’t good at during training and, most importantly, having fun and trusting the process.

What did it feel like to score those two game-winning goals that led to your being named A-10 Offensive Player of the Week?

The feeling was amazing, but being able to help the team and getting the three points was very important. [There is] still a lot to improve as a team, but we are willing to work hard and learn each day at training.

Rams trounce Tribe 1-0

JESSICA

Despite a home game cancellation due to Hurricane Florence, Women’s Soccer traveled to the College of William & Mary Sunday afternoon to battle it out in the rain with the Tribe.

The game started off with a foul called against William & Mary and a wide shot attempt by VCU sophomore forward CiCi Fox in the first five minutes. Sophomore midfielder Samantha Jerabek came right behind Fox, making another shot attempt, but it sailed over the goal.

Ram Stat

The Rams took control early on. As VCU made shots on goal, William & Mary received one foul after another, subduing the Tribe’s momentum.

As the second half began the sides traded shots for the first 10 minutes until junior defender Susanna Friedrichs scored for the Rams with an assist by senior forward Kelly Graves. After the goal, both teams took their time rotating out starting players and bringing in substitutions.

Outdoing the Tribe, the Rams made 22 shot attempts on goal compared to William & Mary’s five. The lack of shot attempts ultimately lost William & Mary the game as VCU headed back to Richmond with a win.

The Black and Gold stays on the road for their next game against St. Bonaventure University Sept. 20. The game will be televised on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m.