Score: VCU 2, No. 2 Clemson 1
Location: Clemson, S.C. / Historic Riggs Field
Records: VCU (2-3-1), Clemson (3-1-1)
 
THE SHORT STORY
VCU's back line and goalkeeper Trevor Maloney stunned at No. 2 Clemson on Tuesday night, setting the scene for a come-from-behind victory with second-half goals by Andrey Salmeron and Mohammed Ibrahim. The Rams handed the nationally-ranked Tigers their first loss of the season, 2-1.
 
PITCH SIDE

• VCU earned its first ranked victory of the year
• Salmeron and Ibrahim both join Kai Feng in the two-goal club
• In goal, Maloney's three second-half saves tied his career high
• Ibrahim's 63^rd-minute goal was his second game winning goal of the year
• Deniss Hayes notched his first collegiate point on the assist of the tying goal
• VCU had the advantage with three saves to Clemson's one
• The Rams were outshot 14-6 in the contest, with 5-3 of the shots on goal
• Clemson suffered its first loss of the season

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first 40 minutes of the match were a defensive battle, with VCU allowing just one shot on goal and Clemson not surrendering any to the Rams' attack
• In the 41^st minute, Wahabu Musah broke the stalemate with the first goal of the match on a counter attack, returning a deflected shot-like touch off the boot of Luca Estabio
• The Rams entered the half trailing by one goal, much like their come-from-behind victory at Old Dominion
• Five minutes into the second half, D. Hayes eluded a pair of Clemson defenders for a centering pass to Salmeron, who found the back of the net with the equalizer, 1-1
• In the 63^rd minute, Ibrahim deflected a shot off a Tiger before following through on his own rebound for the game-winner
• The Rams held onto the lead with strong defensive presence for the final 27 minutes of the contest for its victory over No. 2

 
QUOTABLE
"I'm proud of the boys tonight for a gritty result in a very tough place to go. Most importantly, we got a little better from last week without really training, which is super important for this journey during the fall season where you don't get many training opportunities," said Head Coach Dave Giffard.
 
UP NEXT
VCU will continue its road trip to Penn, who is receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll, at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 12 at Rhodes Field in Philadelphia, Pa.