Boxscore

Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Delaware men’s soccer team upset Virginia Commonwealth University, 2-1, during Colonial Athletic Association action at Sports Backers Stadium on Saturday evening.

Though VCU (5-9-2 overall, 2-7-1 CAA) outshot Delaware (6-12-0 overall, 3-7-0 CAA), 12-8, a pair of first-half goals led the visiting Hens to a 2-1 conference victory amidst the balanced game.

Freshman defender Roberto Vernaschi tallied his first goal of the season when he headed a serve from junior co-captain Jon Scheer past VCU goalkeeper Jackson Van Arsdale. Following a Rams’ foul, Scheer laced a free kick into the box that Vernaschi (at right) won for the game’s first goal at 30:13.

The Hens’ dominance continued, when senior Darren Chrisie broke loose into Rams’ territory and recorded his eighth goal of 2009 on a shot to the right side of goal, past a diving Van Arsdale.

Leading by a pair of scores, Delaware outshot the Rams, 6-5 in the first frame, while each team recorded a corner kick.

Scoring was absent through much of the second, until VCU notched its lone goal of the contest at 81:59. Carlos Picado was unassisted as he dribbled through the middle of the field and shot 18 yards out to put the Rams on the board. The home squad dictated the offense in the latter half, outshooting the Hens, 7-2.

“This was a great win for our lads tonight,” praised fourth-year head coach Ian Hennessy. “A super team performance and a special goal from Darren Chrisite ensured that we now have doubled the amount of wins we had a year ago. It’s a nice reward for the players and especially our two seniors. It has been some time since we have won at VCU and I am happy for Kyle [Davis] and Darren [Christie] that their last away game was such a positive one.

“It would be great if we can maintain our energy level and focus to get one more victory at home this Tuesday against Georgia State,” Hennessy added.

Junior co-captain Conrad Rusnak captured the win in goal for the Blue and Goal making five stops, while Van Arsdale stopped three for the Rams.

Delaware will return to CAA action on Tuesday, Nov. 3 when it hosts Georgia State University for senior day at 3 p.m.

AGATE:

VCU...............0.....1........1
Delaware.......2.....0........2

Scoring Summary: First Half: UD - Roberto Vernaschi (Jon Scheer) - 30:13, UD - Darren Christie - 40:18 ; Second Half: VCU - Carlos Picado - 81:59; Shots: UD - 8, VCU - 12; Corner Kicks: UD - 3, VCU - 4; Saves: UD - 5 (Conrad Rusnak, 5), VCU - 4 (Jackson Van Arsdale, 3); Fouls: UD - 9, VCU 12; Offsides: UD - 7, VCU - 3.