Ryo Shimazaki scored in the 22th minute and Peter Pearson added an insurance goal in the 88th minute to lead VCU (7-4-0, 3-0-0) to a 2-0 win over Duquesne (2-6-2, 0-1-1) at Sports Backers Field in Richmond. The Dukes outshot the Rams 14-10 and held VCU to one shot on goal in the second half, but it was not enough as the Rams remained undefeated in Atlantic 10 play. Duquesne returns home to face nationally-ranked Fordham in an A-10 match on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 7:00 p.m. on Rooney Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Duquesne had the first scoring chance of the match when Manel Busquets took a cross from Noah Mehta at the top of the six in the fifth minute. Busquet's quick shot was smothered by VCU keeper Mario Sequeira.
• DU's Robbie McKelvey batted away VCU's first shot on goal - off the foot of Joseph Gonnella - in the 16th minute.
• VCU took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Ryo Shimazaki in the 22nd minute. Shimazaki took a pass at the top of the box and placed it in the lower right corner for his first goal of the season.
• Mehta took a cross from Eric Zech from beyond to top of the box and fired a hard shot that was stopped by Sequeira in the 43rd minute.
• Larson took a nice pass from Busquets on the left side and put a tough angle shot wide right in the final minute of the half.
• VCU had six shots to five for DU in the opening 45. The Dukes had three shots on goal, to two for the Rams, in the first half.
• Neither team managed a another shot on goal until Peter Pearson scored on a breakaway in the 88th minute.
• Duquesne outshot VCU 14-10. The two tied in shots on goal at three each.
• The Dukes, the national leader in corner kicks per game (8.67), did not take their first corner until the 71st minute. DU finished with three corners to one for VCU.
• Duquesne, who has started at least six freshmen in all 10 matches this season, started six first-year players.

DUQUESNE HEAD COACH CHASE BROOKS
     "The guys played great. They battled hard for 90 minutes, but it ultimately came down to a couple of details and that's where VCU capitalized. They were picked to finish in the top half of the conference for a reason. They are a very good side and I thought we went toe-to-toe with them on their turf which was a great sign for our players moving forward. Time to recover and get ready for the next one."