Box Score Score: VCU 15, Rhode Island 9
Location: Kingston, R.I.
Records: VCU 7-10 (5-5 A-10), Rhode Island 8-8 (4-6 A-10)

The short story:  VCU led wire-to-wire but pulled away for the win in the fourth quarter to qualify for the Atlantic 10 Championship in back-to-back years for the second time in program history. It marks the fourth time VCU has qualified in the program's 10-year history.

QUICK FACTS

• VCU qualified for the A-10 Championship for the fourth time in the program's nine-year history. Two of the three qualifications have now come in back-to-back seasons
• Sarah Jones, VCU's all-time career draws leader, recorded a career-high 11 draw controls
• Mia George scored four goals on just five shot attempts
• Sam Palmer and Kenson Epperly scored three goals each
• Rachel Koeneke had a goal and two assists. Sophia Bombardieri had a career-high four assists
• Ashley Karn scored two goals and Molly Metz added an assist. MG Tibbs and Mason Whitmore scored once
• Molly Coyle made six saves on 11 shots faced
• VCU dominated the draw controls, holding a 22-6 advantage. The Rams also outshout URI 36-27 and 27-16 in shots on goal
• Rhode Island was led by Caralie Basuel who had four goals and one assist

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter, holding URI scoreless through the first 15 minutes. George scored VCU's first two goals to start the contest
• The Black and Gold continued their dominance, extending their lead to 8-2 on another George goal with 4:12 left before halftime. VCU took a 9-4 lead into the break
• Rhode Island slowly chipped away at VCU's lead, cutting VCU's lead to just 12-9 with 8:52 remaining in the fourth quarter
• Karn scored with 5:45 remaining in the game to turn the momentum and after Jones won the ensuing draw control, Epperly scored to push VCU's lead to 14-9 with 4:05 remaining
• VCU's defense didn't allow a goal over the final 8:51 of the contest to help seal the win

UP NEXT
VCU is the No. 6 seed for the A-10 Championship and is set to face the No. 3 seed in a 3 p.m. game at Robins Stadium on the campus of Richmond. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.