RICHMOND, Va.- Second-seeded VCU advanced to the Atlantic 10 Conference Men’s Soccer Championship Semifinals on a 4-3 shootout over seventh-seeded George Mason. The teams tied 2-2 through double overtime, forcing the penalty kick shootout. 

The Rams (7-7-3) will play the winner of tomorrow’s quarterfinal game between third-seeded Dayton and sixth-seeded La Salle. 
 
VCU fell behind early, giving up two goals in the first thirty minutes of play. Tunde Akinlosotu struck first for the Patriots (4-12-2) on a pass from Grant Robinson. Robinson then put Mason up 2-0 after being setup by Raheem Lawal.

The Rams’ come-from-behind win was sparked by an unassisted goal by freshman Celio Pompeu in the 67th minute. Senior Ryo Shimazaki then sent the game to overtime with a penalty kick goal with 27 seconds left in regulation. 
 
After two scoreless overtime periods, the game was sent to a penalty shootout where VCU slid by the Patriots 4-3. Ulrick Edvarsen, Simon Fitch, Zeron Sewell, and Jared Valdes all netted goals for the Rams, securing their spot in the Atlantic 10 Semifinals. 
 
VCU led the way with 22 shots, while George Mason registered eight. The Rams’ goalkeeper, Mario Sequeria, finished the night with four saves, while Patriots’ goalie, Brison Moorhead tallied six saves.