Thursday, October 15th, 2026

Sports

Thriller finish: VCU bests Loyola University Chicago 1-0

October 14, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU men’s soccer defeated Loyola University Chicago 1-0 on Saturday at the VCU Athletic Village, scoring with one second remaining in regulation to secure their first win at the new facility. The Rams have dealt with persistent injuries throughout the season. VCU entered Saturday looking to build momentum in its final Atlantic 10 matchups while managing a depleted roster. Both teams struggled to generate scoring opportunities in a defense-heavy first half. VCU recorded one shot on goal and Loyola had two. Fourth-year goalkeeper Trevor Maloney made two saves in the opening 15 minutes to keep the match scoreless at halftime. In the 52nd minute, first-year midfielder Bya Ndimubandi received a second yellow card and was sent off, forcing VCU to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Despite the disadvantage, VCU continued to hold off Loyola’s attack. The Ramblers outshot the Rams 20-10, but Maloney finished with three saves to earn his first shutout of the season. With the clock winding down, VCU found one final opportunity. Third-year defender Nikita Hayes sent a ball into the top of the six-yard box, where first-year midfielder Esteban Vasquez finished with a one-touch shot to score

VCU men’s soccer ties 1-1 against George Washington, injuries continue

October 14, 2026

Chase Berman, Contributing Writer  The VCU men’s soccer team tied 1-1 against The George Washington University on Wednesday. The Rams are now 1-7-3 for the regular season. The energy was high throughout the game. The Rams led possession throughout most of the first half, but a series of bad turnovers led to the Revolutionaries fighting back. However, neither team was able to score in the first half. The second half saw more action and physicality. Fourth-year midfielder Andrey Salmeron scored his first goal of the season less than five minutes into the second half, but the Revolutionaries quickly tied the game with a goal from first-year forward Tommaso Lami. Overall, the Rams outshot the Revolutionaries 15 to 11. These shots on goal have been a major focus of VCU head coach Dave Gifford. “It’s a game of percentages and odds, right,” Giffard said. “You have seven or eight chances that could have been goals and you get one. If that number is 25 or 30 chances…you probably get three or four and you’re really comfortable.”   Third-year midfielder Mohammed Ibrahim, who contributed an assist, and Salmeron both stressed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. “We always have to keep that

VCU field hockey locks down the win in high scoring affair

October 14, 2026

Drew Clements, Contributing Writer  VCU field hockey defeated Lock Haven University 5-2 on Friday afternoon at Cary St. Field, improving to 7-5 on the season. VCU took an aggressive approach, launching several shots on target in the first few minutes and staying on the attack. With 7 minutes left in the first quarter, second-year Hannah Zimmerman struck first, scoring off a pass from third-year Lucia Donati. “When I’m in the middle, everyone just knows their job,” Zimmerman said. “The left knows her job, the right knows her job, the middle knows her job, so just following through is what I’m supposed to be doing.” Lock Haven responded quickly, drawing back to back penalty corners and scoring on the second attempt to tie things up 1-1 at the end of the first quarter. VCU stayed on the attack into the second quarter, applying pressure and forcing multiple saves by Lock Haven. With just 35 seconds left in the second quarter, VCU struck again, with first-year Julia Spohr scoring unassisted to take a 2-1 lead into the half. VCU kept the pressure up into the second half, attempting multiple shots on goal. Lock Haven responded with a penalty corner, but VCU secured

VCU falls to La Salle in hard fought game

October 14, 2026

Devynn Alston, Staff Writer VCU women’s soccer fell to La Salle University 5-2 on Sunday afternoon, as the Explorers’ early scoring and second-half offense proved to be too much for the Rams to overcome.  La Salle graduate student forward Justyce Hollenbach scored within the first 10 minutes of the match, before finding the back of the net again during the 20th minute to give the Explorers an early 2-0 lead.  VCU responded four minutes later when third-year midfielder Shiori Shintaku scored, cutting La Salle’s lead to 2-1. However, the Explorers regained their two-goal advantage at the 40-minute mark when third-year forward/midfielder Alexis Garcia scored, seeing La Salle go into the half with a 3-1 lead.  Even though they trailed, the Rams recorded five shots during the first half, with three being on target. However, VCU struggled to turn its possessions into consistent scoring opportunities.  “We really did have control a lot of the game, but then we just couldn’t get that final shot off,” VCU head coach Lauryn Hutchinson said.  VCU came out amped after halftime, as fourth-year forward Jazmin Jackson scored in the opening minute of the second half to cut the deficit to 3-2. The goal marked Jackson’s

From top recruit to Ram: An exclusive inside look with Sammy Jackson

October 7, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Assistant Sports Editor  First-year guard Sammy Jackson is stepping into a new chapter at VCU. Wearing the black and gold may feel like a fresh start, but producing at a high level on the court is second nature.  Ranked No. 86 on the 2026 SportCenter Next 100, the 6-foot-7 prospect comes to VCU with a unique blend of size and skill at the guard position. While many know Jackson from his time playing at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, his basketball journey began much earlier. “I actually didn’t grow up in Philadelphia,” Jackson said. “I grew up in Tampa, Florida and then we moved to Philly when I was 12.” Jackson said his early childhood in Tampa contributed to the lasting presence basketball has had within his life.  “We had a full-court [basketball court] in the backyard,” Jackson said. “My dad used to play in the NBA and my brothers play basketball too, so basketball has always been around me. But one day I picked up a basketball and really worked out for the first time with my dad, and then I knew that I wanted to do this for real.” Jackson said the realization went beyond

VCU falls to GWU in second game of weekend series

October 7, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor VCU women’s volleyball lost 3-0 in the second match of a weekend series against The George Washington University on Saturday. According to VCU third-year setter Casin Sendir, today just was not their day. “We didn’t show up with our game,” Sendir said. “It was not our game and everyone was aware of that and we couldn’t play together.” The loss comes after the Rams won the first game of the series comfortably, 3-0. Kills from VCU third-years, middle blocker Letizia Galli and outside hitter Lara Del Core, gave the Rams a quick lead out of the gates. GWU responded by scoring twice to tie the set. The two teams remained knotted up for the next few minutes, going back and forth with neither team able to extend their lead past two points. The Rams put together their best run of the first set, scoring three points in a row to give them a 15-12 lead, but just as they had throughout the set, the Revolutionaries responded with a 3-point run of their own to tie the match at 15. GWU used their momentum to extend the lead to 18-16, forcing a VCU timeout. The Rams came

Black and Gold game gives first look at new VCU men’s basketball roster

October 4, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU men’s basketball gave fans their first look at a significantly different roster during the annual Black and Gold scrimmage on a rainy Sunday at the Siegel Center. The scrimmage marked the beginning of the Rams’ 2026-27 season after VCU went 28-8 last season, won its second consecutive Atlantic 10 championship and made NCAA Tournament history with a 19-point comeback against North Carolina in the first round. With seven players departing, including last season’s leading scorer third-year guard Terrence Hill Jr., who transferred to Tennessee, VCU will have to rely on returning players taking on larger roles and seven newcomers to make their mark. The first four-minute period showed an immediate emphasis on defense. Both teams frequently applied full-court pressure, allowing them to create turnovers and opportunities in transition. Second-year guard Nyk Lewis led his team offensively while also positively impacting the game with his playmaking abilities. The offense became more fluid as the scrimmage continued. Sammy Jackson, a 6-foot-7 first-year wing from Philadelphia, began heating up in the second period, knocking down difficult shots and helping the Gold team build a lead. Jackson finished 4-for-9 from the field on the day. Jackson is one of

Thriller finish: VCU bests Loyola University Chicago 1-0

October 14, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU men’s soccer defeated Loyola University Chicago 1-0 on Saturday at the VCU Athletic Village, scoring with one second remaining in regulation to secure their first win at the new facility. The Rams have dealt with persistent injuries throughout the season. VCU entered Saturday looking to build momentum in its final Atlantic 10 matchups while managing a depleted roster. Both teams struggled to generate scoring opportunities in a defense-heavy first half. VCU recorded one shot on goal and Loyola had two. Fourth-year goalkeeper Trevor Maloney made two saves in the opening 15 minutes to keep the match scoreless at halftime. In the 52nd minute, first-year midfielder Bya Ndimubandi received a second yellow card and was sent off, forcing VCU to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Despite the disadvantage, VCU continued to hold off Loyola’s attack. The Ramblers outshot the Rams 20-10, but Maloney finished with three saves to earn his first shutout of the season. With the clock winding down, VCU found one final opportunity. Third-year defender Nikita Hayes sent a ball into the top of the six-yard box, where first-year midfielder Esteban Vasquez finished with a one-touch shot to score the game-winning goal with one second remaining. The goal was Vasquez’s first collegiate score and Hayes’ first assist of the season. Vasquez said the moment was especially meaningful given the circumstances surrounding the match. “Grateful for every one of my teammates, grateful to God that these are the ones that have been helping me in this journey,” Vasquez said. “[It’s] amazing, it’s my first goal. Especially in that moment of the match, with one less player – it’s a grateful day and a day to remember for all my life.” Hayes said the team knew it needed to maintain its energy after Ndimubandi’s ejection and continue fighting for a chance to score. “It was amazing. All of us worked really hard before the red card and then after he got sent off, we knew we had to keep our momentum going and still have the positive energy,” Hayes said. “We just kept fighting and kept trying to score, and we got a chance, and took it.” VCU head coach Dave Giffard said the team’s morale has remained strong despite losing players to injuries throughout the season. He said the group’s willingness to step into bigger roles and continue competing is

VCU men’s soccer ties 1-1 against George Washington, injuries continue

October 14, 2026

Chase Berman, Contributing Writer  The VCU men’s soccer team tied 1-1 against The George Washington University on Wednesday. The Rams are now 1-7-3 for the regular season. The energy was high throughout the game. The Rams led possession throughout most of the first half, but a series of bad turnovers led to the Revolutionaries fighting back. However, neither team was able to score in the first half. The second half saw more action and physicality. Fourth-year midfielder Andrey Salmeron scored his first goal of the season less than five minutes into the second half, but the Revolutionaries quickly tied the game with a goal from first-year forward Tommaso Lami. Overall, the Rams outshot the Revolutionaries 15 to 11. These shots on goal have been a major focus of VCU head coach Dave Gifford. “It’s a game of percentages and odds, right,” Giffard said. “You have seven or eight chances that could have been goals and you get one. If that number is 25 or 30 chances…you probably get three or four and you’re really comfortable.”   Third-year midfielder Mohammed Ibrahim, who contributed an assist, and Salmeron both stressed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. “We always have to keep that

VCU field hockey locks down the win in high scoring affair

October 14, 2026

Drew Clements, Contributing Writer  VCU field hockey defeated Lock Haven University 5-2 on Friday afternoon at Cary St. Field, improving to 7-5 on the season. VCU took an aggressive approach, launching several shots on target in the first few minutes and staying on the attack. With 7 minutes left in the first quarter, second-year Hannah Zimmerman struck first, scoring off a pass from third-year Lucia Donati. “When I’m in the middle, everyone just knows their job,” Zimmerman said. “The left knows her job, the right knows her job, the middle knows her job, so just following through is what I’m supposed to be doing.” Lock Haven responded quickly, drawing back to back penalty corners and scoring on the second attempt to tie things up 1-1 at the end of the first quarter. VCU stayed on the attack into the second quarter, applying pressure and forcing multiple saves by Lock Haven. With just 35 seconds left in the second quarter, VCU struck again, with first-year Julia Spohr scoring unassisted to take a 2-1 lead into the half. VCU kept the pressure up into the second half, attempting multiple shots on goal. Lock Haven responded with a penalty corner, but VCU secured

VCU falls to La Salle in hard fought game

October 14, 2026

Devynn Alston, Staff Writer VCU women’s soccer fell to La Salle University 5-2 on Sunday afternoon, as the Explorers’ early scoring and second-half offense proved to be too much for the Rams to overcome.  La Salle graduate student forward Justyce Hollenbach scored within the first 10 minutes of the match, before finding the back of the net again during the 20th minute to give the Explorers an early 2-0 lead.  VCU responded four minutes later when third-year midfielder Shiori Shintaku scored, cutting La Salle’s lead to 2-1. However, the Explorers regained their two-goal advantage at the 40-minute mark when third-year forward/midfielder Alexis Garcia scored, seeing La Salle go into the half with a 3-1 lead.  Even though they trailed, the Rams recorded five shots during the first half, with three being on target. However, VCU struggled to turn its possessions into consistent scoring opportunities.  “We really did have control a lot of the game, but then we just couldn’t get that final shot off,” VCU head coach Lauryn Hutchinson said.  VCU came out amped after halftime, as fourth-year forward Jazmin Jackson scored in the opening minute of the second half to cut the deficit to 3-2. The goal marked Jackson’s

From top recruit to Ram: An exclusive inside look with Sammy Jackson

Sports Editor October 7, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Assistant Sports Editor  First-year guard Sammy Jackson is stepping into a new chapter at VCU. Wearing the black and gold may feel like a fresh start, but producing at a high level on the court is second nature.  Ranked No. 86 on the 2026 SportCenter Next 100, the 6-foot-7 prospect comes to VCU with a unique blend of size and skill at the guard position. While many know Jackson from his time playing at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, his basketball journey began much earlier. “I actually didn’t grow up in Philadelphia,” Jackson said. “I grew up in Tampa, Florida and then we moved to Philly when I was 12.” Jackson said his early childhood in Tampa contributed to the lasting presence basketball has had within his life.  “We had a full-court [basketball court] in the backyard,” Jackson said. “My dad used to play in the NBA and my brothers play basketball too, so basketball has always been around me. But one day I picked up a basketball and really worked out for the first time with my dad, and then I knew that I wanted to do this for real.” Jackson said the realization went beyond

VCU falls to GWU in second game of weekend series

Sports Editor October 7, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor VCU women’s volleyball lost 3-0 in the second match of a weekend series against The George Washington University on Saturday. According to VCU third-year setter Casin Sendir, today just was not their day. “We didn’t show up with our game,” Sendir said. “It was not our game and everyone was aware of that and we couldn’t play together.” The loss comes after the Rams won the first game of the series comfortably, 3-0. Kills from VCU third-years, middle blocker Letizia Galli and outside hitter Lara Del Core, gave the Rams a quick lead out of the gates. GWU responded by scoring twice to tie the set. The two teams remained knotted up for the next few minutes, going back and forth with neither team able to extend their lead past two points. The Rams put together their best run of the first set, scoring three points in a row to give them a 15-12 lead, but just as they had throughout the set, the Revolutionaries responded with a 3-point run of their own to tie the match at 15. GWU used their momentum to extend the lead to 18-16, forcing a VCU timeout. The Rams came

Black and Gold game gives first look at new VCU men’s basketball roster

Sports Editor October 4, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU men’s basketball gave fans their first look at a significantly different roster during the annual Black and Gold scrimmage on a rainy Sunday at the Siegel Center. The scrimmage marked the beginning of the Rams’ 2026-27 season after VCU went 28-8 last season, won its second consecutive Atlantic 10 championship and made NCAA Tournament history with a 19-point comeback against North Carolina in the first round. With seven players departing, including last season’s leading scorer third-year guard Terrence Hill Jr., who transferred to Tennessee, VCU will have to rely on returning players taking on larger roles and seven newcomers to make their mark. The first four-minute period showed an immediate emphasis on defense. Both teams frequently applied full-court pressure, allowing them to create turnovers and opportunities in transition. Second-year guard Nyk Lewis led his team offensively while also positively impacting the game with his playmaking abilities. The offense became more fluid as the scrimmage continued. Sammy Jackson, a 6-foot-7 first-year wing from Philadelphia, began heating up in the second period, knocking down difficult shots and helping the Gold team build a lead. Jackson finished 4-for-9 from the field on the day. Jackson is one of

From top recruit to Ram: An exclusive inside look with Sammy Jackson

October 7, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Assistant Sports Editor  First-year guard Sammy Jackson is stepping into a new chapter at VCU. Wearing the black and gold may feel like a fresh start, but producing at a high level on the court is second nature.  Ranked No. 86 on the 2026 SportCenter Next 100, the 6-foot-7 prospect comes to VCU with a unique blend of size and skill at the guard position. While many know Jackson from his time playing at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, his basketball journey began much earlier. “I actually didn’t grow up in Philadelphia,” Jackson said. “I grew up in Tampa, Florida and then we moved to Philly when I was 12.” Jackson said his early childhood in Tampa contributed to the lasting presence basketball has had within his life.  “We had a full-court [basketball court] in the backyard,” Jackson said. “My dad used to play in the NBA and my brothers play basketball too, so basketball has always been around me. But one day I picked up a basketball and really worked out for the first time with my dad, and then I knew that I wanted to do this for real.” Jackson said the realization went beyond

VCU falls to GWU in second game of weekend series

October 7, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor VCU women’s volleyball lost 3-0 in the second match of a weekend series against The George Washington University on Saturday. According to VCU third-year setter Casin Sendir, today just was not their day. “We didn’t show up with our game,” Sendir said. “It was not our game and everyone was aware of that and we couldn’t play together.” The loss comes after the Rams won the first game of the series comfortably, 3-0. Kills from VCU third-years, middle blocker Letizia Galli and outside hitter Lara Del Core, gave the Rams a quick lead out of the gates. GWU responded by scoring twice to tie the set. The two teams remained knotted up for the next few minutes, going back and forth with neither team able to extend their lead past two points. The Rams put together their best run of the first set, scoring three points in a row to give them a 15-12 lead, but just as they had throughout the set, the Revolutionaries responded with a 3-point run of their own to tie the match at 15. GWU used their momentum to extend the lead to 18-16, forcing a VCU timeout. The Rams came

Black and Gold game gives first look at new VCU men’s basketball roster

October 4, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU men’s basketball gave fans their first look at a significantly different roster during the annual Black and Gold scrimmage on a rainy Sunday at the Siegel Center. The scrimmage marked the beginning of the Rams’ 2026-27 season after VCU went 28-8 last season, won its second consecutive Atlantic 10 championship and made NCAA Tournament history with a 19-point comeback against North Carolina in the first round. With seven players departing, including last season’s leading scorer third-year guard Terrence Hill Jr., who transferred to Tennessee, VCU will have to rely on returning players taking on larger roles and seven newcomers to make their mark. The first four-minute period showed an immediate emphasis on defense. Both teams frequently applied full-court pressure, allowing them to create turnovers and opportunities in transition. Second-year guard Nyk Lewis led his team offensively while also positively impacting the game with his playmaking abilities. The offense became more fluid as the scrimmage continued. Sammy Jackson, a 6-foot-7 first-year wing from Philadelphia, began heating up in the second period, knocking down difficult shots and helping the Gold team build a lead. Jackson finished 4-for-9 from the field on the day. Jackson is one of

VCU beats GWU in first game of weekend series

October 4, 2026

Drew Clements, Contributing Writer VCU volleyball pulled off a decisive 3-0 victory over The George Washington University at the Siegel Center Friday night, improving to 4-7 on the season.  The first set went back and forth, with VCU jumping out to an early 15-10 lead, only for GW to tie it up and keep the score close throughout the set. Third-year outside hitter Lara Del Core and fourth-year middle blocker Nina Boledovicova landed kills to help VCU secure the early lead.  “I think we’re really good at finding our identity right now and how we want to play as a team,” Boledovicova said. “For me it’s easy to really kill the ball if the ball is right there.” GW led for most of the second set, taking a lead back whenever VCU tied things up. Third-year MB Letizia Galli led the team with 5 blocks and kept VCU close with several key blocks throughout the set.  “I really take my position as middle blocker very seriously,” Galli said. “I try to be useful any way I can.”  Down 22-18, VCU charged back to tie at 24-24 and won the set 27-25 a few serves later.  “The difference maker was the

Bears prove too much for shorthanded Rams squad

October 3, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor VCU field hockey matched up against the University of California on a hot October afternoon. The Rams entered the matchup battling injuries and were notably without leading scorer fourth-year Josefina Ventimiglia. The two teams got off to a quick start in the opening minutes. Each squad pressed the pace but was unable to find an opening to score. Cal got on the board first with just under five minutes remaining in the period when second-year Josefina Moyano found the back of the net.  The Rams’ defense tightened up for the remainder of the first quarter, which allowed the offense to rack up more control time, but they were unable to capitalize and tie the score. Despite falling behind early, VCU head coach Stacey Bean was pleased with her team’s effort in the first period. “I thought we came out with that energy and that attitude in the first quarter,” said Bean. “That was one of the best first quarters we played this year.” In the second quarter, Cal regained momentum and put VCU on the back foot early and often. The Rams defense stepped up and met the challenge but was consistently kept on the retreat.

Women’s soccer drops hardfought game to Duquesne

September 29, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor Drew Clements, Contributing Writer VCU women’s soccer attempted to win their second consecutive game against Duquesne University Sunday afternoon at City Stadium, but fell short 2-1. The Dukes started the game aggressively and attempted their first shot on goal, which was saved by the Rams fourth-year goalkeeper Mia Pongratz at the 3:37 mark of the first half. “The beginning of our season was a little tough, but we’ve had a huge mindset switch on the team,” Pongratz said. “I think we’re all really taking initiative on changing the game for ourselves.” Over the next 10 minutes, VCU started to gain momentum, attempting three shots, but was unable to capitalize. As the game progressed, neither team was able to consistently impose their will on the other. At the 28:26 mark of the first half, the Dukes scored to take a 1-0 lead. VCU battled back and stayed aggressive, attempting five more shots over the remainder of the half, but was unable to convert. Duquesne entered halftime holding a 1-0 lead. In the second half, VCU continued to apply pressure and began to force Duquesne onto the back foot more frequently. The Rams attempted four shots to Duquesne’s

VCU men’s soccer falls to Fordham in A-10 home opener 2-1

September 29, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU men’s soccer fell to Fordham University 2-1 on Saturday at the VCU Athletic Village in its Atlantic-10 home opener. The loss drops the Rams to 0-2 in A-10 play. VCU controlled much of the possession throughout the match and outshot Fordham 11-10, but the Rams struggled to turn their control of possessions into goals. VCU had four corner kicks compared to Fordham’s one, but Fordham held the advantage in shots on goal, 3-2. Fordham opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a wind-aided shot made its way into the back corner of the net. Fordham struck again in the 68th minute to gain a 2-0 lead. Just 52 seconds later VCU responded when fourth-year defender Pedro Salmon scored his first goal as a Ram. Salmon headed in a corner kick from fourth-year midfielder Andrey Salmeron, his first assist of the season. Salmon had a strong performance beyond his goal, contributing defensively while also creating opportunities for his teammates. A group of supporters from Salmon’s home country of Spain attended to watch his first goal for VCU. “I didn’t know there were people from my country in this city,” Salmon said. “It’s nice to have

Ventimiglia shines in Rams victory

September 26, 2026 No Comments

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor Drew Clements, Contributing Writer VCU field hockey beat Saint Louis University in a hard-fought game Friday at Cary Street Field. “They

Hispanic trailblazers of VCU Athletics

September 23, 2026 No Comments

Devynn Alston, Staff Writer Hispanic Heritage Month, spanning from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, offers a chance to look back at Hispanic athletes who built

Inside the world of VCU soccer recruiting

September 23, 2026 No Comments

Bri McAllister, Contributing Writer For some VCU soccer players, the road to Richmond begins just a few miles from campus. For others, it begins thousands