RICHMOND, Va. — VCU scored twice off penalty corners in the opening half and added a third goal late to down William & Mary, 3-0, on Friday afternoon at Cary Street Field. 

Morena Macera, who scored twice on the afternoon for the Rams, gave the home team a 1-0 lead with a goal just 13 minutes into the contest, converting VCU's first penalty corner chance. 

In the second quarter, the Tribe (0-3) generated a pair of quality scoring opportunities. Freshman Lily Johnson recorded her first career shot from top of the circle in the 18th minute, but VCU goalkeeper Emma Clements made the stop. Senior Natasha Browning just missed getting on the end of it to redirect the shot in front before the attempt was saved. 

VCU (2-1) doubled its lead with another goal off a penalty corner, this one from Ana Afonso, in the 24th minute. 

The Tribe nearly found an answer in the closing minutes of the half off back-to-back penalty corners. Junior Josie Mae Gruendel's shot from the near post with just over two minutes remaining was blocked wide by Clements.

W&M had a pair of penalty corner chances in the third period and another in the fourth, but could not find a goal. Macera put the game away with her second goal of the game and fifth of the season in the 55th minute. 

As a team, the Tribe generated a season-high six penalty corners and four shots with two on goal.  Junior Mackinzie Brown attempted two shots for the Tribe, which equaled a career high. In goal, junior Alexandra de Jesus finished with three saves, while sophomore Emma Cari played the final three minutes. 

Looking ahead, W&M hosts defending Patriot League Champion Lafayette (3-0) on Sunday, Sept. 7, at noon at Busch Field. The game will be streamed on FloCollege.