No. 12 American Storms Back to Top VCU, 4-2

Melvin Espinal netted two goals and added an assist in the Eagles' 4-2 win over VCU.

Game Stats

Gameday Central
Virginia Commonwealth	2
American	4
Box Score | Final
Goals: Bumbanac (VCU), Espinal (AU), Pauls (VCU), Espinal (AU), Bertsch (AU), Llerena (AU). Assists: Greiner (VCU), Garay (VCU), Bertsch (AU), Segares (VCU), Espinal (AU), Herman (AU) Saves: Behonick (AU) 7, Montero (VCU) 4

WASHINGTON - After trailing for most of the match, the American University's No. 12 men's soccer team exploded with three goals in the final nine minutes to defeat Virginia Commonwealth. Kris Bertsch's goal in the 86th minute gave AU the lead for good and Melvin Espinal scored two goals and added an assist in the match to help the Eagles to the 4-2 victory.

VCU (4-3) had three early chances in the match. In the 10th minute, McColm Cephas fired a shot past American (6-2) goalkeeper Michael Behonick that hit the far post. Behonick made two strong saves in the first 20 minutes to keep the match scoreless. Andrew Herman had American's first opportunity as he broke in alone, but his shot was saved by VCU goalkeeper Saul Montero.

The Rams scored the first goal of the game in the 36th minute as Carlos Garay sent a long ball ahead to Cory Greiner. Greiner centered the ball to Petrut Bumbanac who was able to one-touch the ball into the left corner of the net. Just three minutes later, Matthew Delicate broke in alone, but Behonick was able to make a nice save.

AU answered in the 43rd minute as Bertsch fired a shot in on goal. Montero blocked the ball, but could not collect the rebound and Espinal was there to send the ball into the net. With the score knotted at one, the team's went to halftime.

VCU came out strong in the second half as the Rams had three quick touches before Jose Umana sent the ball in on net. Charlie Koniver was there for the Eagles to head the ball out of danger. AU could not hold off the Rams' attack though, as in the 63rd minute Gonzalo Segares sent a long ball into the box that Matt Pauls headed into the upper right corner of the net to give VCU the lead.

For nearly the next 20 minutes, the match was played in the midfield as the Rams began to pack their defense in as they attempted to preserve the lead. The Eagles broke through in the 82nd minute as Espinal scored his second goal of the game as he sent the ball in on net and it deflected off of a VCU defender to knot the match at two.

Kris Bertsch scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute.

AU was not done as the squad kept the pressure on the Rams. In the 86th minute, Herman brought the ball up the side and he crossed the ball to Espinal. Espinal made one touch to Bertsch just outside the box who sent the ball into the upper right corner of the net to give the Eagles the lead.

In the 89th minute, VCU had its last opportunity of the match as Greiner sent a free kick into the box that David Pryor headed away. In the 90th minute, Freddy Llerena brought the ball down the field and shot the ball into the upper part of the net for his first career goal.

Behonick played another solid match, making seven saves to keep AU in the game while the squad was trailing. Montero saved four shots for VCU. The Eagles were able to earn the win despite being outshot nine to five in the second half.

American returns to action on Reeves Field on Wednesday as the Eagles open Patriot League play against Navy at 3:00 p.m.

Goals: AU - Espinal (2), Bertsch, Llerena; VCU - Bumbanac, Pauls
Assists: AU - Bertsch, Espinal, Herman; VCU - Greiner, Garay, Segares
Saves: AU - Behonick 7; VCU - Montero 4
Shots: AU - 12; VCU - 17
Corners: AU - 5; VCU - 3
Offsides: AU - 3; VCU - 3