What Is 2009 VCU Rams men's soccer team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 VCU Rams men's soccer team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2009 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, finishing with a 13–6–2 record under head coach Dave Giffard. They won the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, where they lost in the first round to #7 seed Creighton.

Key Facts

The 2009 VCU Rams finished the season with a 13–6–2 overall record
Head coach Dave Giffard was in his second season leading the program
The team won the 2009 CAA Men's Soccer Tournament, defeating William & Mary 2–1 in the final
VCU earned an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship
In the NCAA tournament, VCU lost 3–1 to #7 seed Creighton in the first round

Overview

The 2009 VCU Rams men's soccer team represented Virginia Commonwealth University in the 2009 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. Competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Dave Giffard, who was in his second year at the helm.

The Rams had a successful season, finishing with a 13–6–2 overall record and capturing the CAA tournament title. This victory secured them an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, marking a significant achievement for the program.

Record: The team finished the season with a strong 13–6–2 overall record, including a 6–3–1 mark in conference play.
CAA Champions: VCU won the 2009 CAA Men's Soccer Tournament, defeating William & Mary 2–1 in the final held on November 15, 2009.
Head Coach:Dave Giffard was in his second season as head coach and led the Rams to their first CAA tournament title since 2004.
NCAA Tournament Appearance: The CAA title earned VCU an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.
NCAA Result: In the first round, VCU lost 3–1 to #7 seed Creighton on November 20, 2009, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Season Performance

The 2009 season showcased VCU’s growing competitiveness in Division I men's soccer. The team demonstrated resilience in both regular season and tournament play, overcoming strong conference opponents.

Regular Season: VCU posted a 6–3–1 record in CAA play, finishing third in the conference standings behind Old Dominion and William & Mary.
Key Players: Forward David Bulow led the team in scoring with 10 goals, earning First Team All-CAA honors.
Defensive Strength: Goalkeeper Eric Kennedy recorded 7 shutouts and a 1.19 goals-against average during the season.
Home Field Advantage: The Rams went 9–2 at Sports Backers Stadium, their home field in Richmond, Virginia.
Tournament Run: VCU defeated #3 seed Hofstra 1–0 in the CAA semifinals before beating #1 seed William & Mary in the final.
Postseason Exit: Despite a solid season, the Rams were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament by a Creighton team that advanced to the College Cup.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2009 VCU Rams compared to other CAA teams and NCAA qualifiers in 2009:

Team	Overall Record	CAA Record	CAA Tournament Result	NCAA Result
VCU	13–6–2	6–3–1	Champions	First Round Exit
William & Mary	14–6–2	7–2–1	Runner-up	First Round Exit
Old Dominion	12–7–1	7–3–0	Semifinals	Did Not Qualify
Hofstra	10–8–2	5–4–1	Semifinals	Did Not Qualify
UNC Wilmington	11–7–2	5–4–1	Quarterfinals	Did Not Qualify

The 2009 VCU Rams stood out by winning the CAA tournament despite not having the best regular season record. Their postseason success highlighted their ability to peak at the right time, though they were unable to advance far in the NCAA tournament. The team’s performance laid the foundation for future growth under Coach Giffard.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was a turning point for VCU men's soccer, signaling the program’s resurgence under new leadership. It demonstrated the team’s ability to compete at a high level and achieve conference success.

Program Momentum: Winning the CAA title provided national recognition and boosted recruiting efforts for future seasons.
Coach Validation: Dave Giffard’s second-year success confirmed his ability to rebuild and lead the program effectively.
Player Development: Players like David Bulow and Eric Kennedy became program cornerstones, setting performance benchmarks.
Conference Standing: The title reinforced VCU as a contender in the CAA, elevating its status among peer institutions.
NCAA Exposure: Participating in the NCAA tournament offered valuable experience and exposure for the team.
Foundation for Growth: The 2009 season laid the groundwork for continued improvement, culminating in deeper NCAA runs in later years.

Overall, the 2009 VCU Rams men's soccer team marked a significant chapter in the program's history. Their CAA championship and NCAA appearance underscored a new era of competitiveness and ambition.