GW women’s soccer defeats VCU, stays perfect in A-10 play

RICHMOND, Va. (Via George Washington University) – The George Washington women’s soccer squad matched the program record for consecutive victories with its eighth straight triumph by defeating Atlantic 10 foe VCU, 2-0, on Thursday evening at the Rams’ Sports Backers Stadium.

The Colonials (10-4-0, 5-0-0, A-10) now sit in sole possession of first place in the conference by virtue of their best A-10 start since 1998, when GW began league play with six straight victories – the same season that the Buff and Blue set the program’s consecutive wins record at eight games. The Colonials handed VCU (6-7-1, 4-1-0 A-10) its first conference loss of the season.

GW dominated possession during the first half, getting off five shots without allowing a single attempt by the Rams. In the 33rd minute, redshirt-senior Nicole Belfonti finished a cross from senior Kristi Abbate to put the Colonials up, 1-0. Belfonti’s score marked her third of the season – all of which have been game-winners.

Less than 10 minutes later, Abbate netted her second of the season off a pass from junior Lina Proska to give the Colonials a 2-0 lead in the 41st minute that would remain throughout the end of the contest.

GW controlled the ball for the majority of the second stanza, allowing just two VCU shots. The Colonials outshot the Rams, 9-2, on the night and did not yield a single shot on goal en route to the squad’s eighth clean sheet of the season.

Abbate and Belfonti each tallied a game-high three shots, while Proska and Abbate chipped in their second and third helpers of the season, respectively.

The Colonials look to stay hot at Richmond as they visit the Spiders’ E. Claiborne Robins Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday.