VAN DESSEL’S TWO GOALS, TWO ASSISTS PROPEL VCU, 5-2
9-7-2008
VCU 5, Radford 2 (Box Score)

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Sophomore Marle van Dessel (Oisterwijk, Netherlands) (pictured) scored two goals and assisted on two others as Virginia Commonwealth University overpowered Radford, 5-2, Sunday at Carol Grotnes Belk Turf Field.

The Rams improve to 3-1 with the victory. It is the second straight year the Black and Gold has won three of its first four matches. Radford is 0-4.

Van Dessel’s effort, as well as two goals from senior Nikki Hollibaugh (Spotsylvania, Va.), keyed VCU’s highest scoring output since a 7-3 win at Monmouth Aug. 27, 2006.

The Highlanders struck first Sunday, getting an unassisted goal from Courtney Poole 24:04 into the contest.

From that point on, it was all VCU.

Less than three minutes later, Marle van Dessel knocked in a direct shot off a corner to tie the game at 1-1. Then, with :31 seconds left before intermission, van Dessel found junior Lindsay Jones (Springfield, Va.) for a go-ahead score. Jones also had two goals Friday against Davidson.

In the second half, van Dessel provided the deciding goal just 1:13 into the period, again on a direct shot off a corner.

Senior Laura Baker (Kent, England) made six saves and allowed one goal in 53:51 of action for the Black and Gold.

VCU returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 13, when it hosts Saint Joseph’s at 12 p.m. at Cary Street Field.