What Is 2014 VCU Rams men's soccer team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 VCU Rams men's soccer team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2014 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, finishing with a 12-6-2 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament second round after winning the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season title.

Key Facts

The 2014 VCU Rams finished the season with a 12-6-2 overall record
They won the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season title with a 6-1-1 conference record
Head coach Dave Giffard led the team in his fifth season at VCU
The Rams advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to UMass
Midfielder Jordan Dover was named A-10 Defensive Player of the Year

Overview

The 2014 VCU Rams men's soccer team represented Virginia Commonwealth University in the NCAA Division I men's soccer season. Competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference, the Rams posted a strong 12-6-2 overall record and captured the A-10 regular season championship with a 6-1-1 conference mark.

Under head coach Dave Giffard, who was in his fifth season at the helm, the team showcased a balanced attack and disciplined defense. The Rams earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated Northeastern in the first round before falling to UMass in the second round.

Regular season success: The Rams finished first in the Atlantic 10 with 19 points, edging out Dayton and Saint Louis to claim the regular season title.
Offensive production: VCU scored 27 goals in 20 matches, averaging 1.35 goals per game, led by forward Mikkel Dreje and midfielder Jordan Dover.
Defensive strength: The backline allowed just 16 goals all season, posting eight clean sheets and anchoring the team’s tournament run.
NCAA Tournament appearance: As the #14 national seed, VCU hosted Northeastern and won 2-0 before losing 1-0 to UMass in the second round.
Individual accolades: Jordan Dover earned A-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors, while several Rams received All-Conference recognition.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2014 campaign was marked by consistent performances and key victories that solidified VCU’s national standing. The Rams opened conference play with a 1-0 win over Saint Louis and maintained momentum through a tough A-10 schedule.

Early season momentum: VCU started 5-1-0 in non-conference play, including a 1-0 win over then-No. 17 Kentucky, signaling their national potential.
Conference dominance: The Rams went 6-1-1 in A-10 play, their only loss coming in a 2-1 defeat to Dayton in October.
Home field advantage: VCU posted a 7-2-1 record at Sports Backers Stadium, creating a challenging environment for visiting teams.
Key players: Midfielder Jordan Dover recorded 3 goals and 4 assists, while goalkeeper Dimitri Ivanov made 64 saves and posted a 0.80 goals-against average.
Postseason run: The Rams defeated Northeastern 2-0 in the NCAA first round but were eliminated by UMass 1-0 in a tightly contested second-round match.
Coaching leadership: Dave Giffard improved his overall record at VCU to 45-38-10 after five seasons, with 2014 being one of the most successful campaigns.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 VCU Rams compared to other top A-10 teams and national contenders during the season:

Team	Overall Record	A-10 Record	Goals For	Goals Against	NCAA Result
VCU	12-6-2	6-1-1	27	16	Second Round
Dayton	13-4-4	5-2-1	28	15	Quarterfinals
Saint Louis	10-6-2	5-2-1	20	14	First Round
UMass	16-6-2	5-2-1	31	17	Quarterfinals
UCLA (National Champs)	18-3-6	N/A	42	17	Champions

The 2014 VCU Rams ranked among the top defensive teams in the A-10, allowing fewer goals than most conference rivals. While they fell short of the College Cup, their season was one of the most successful in program history under Giffard’s leadership, setting a foundation for future competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season marked a turning point for VCU men's soccer, demonstrating sustained excellence at the conference level and national relevance in NCAA competition. The team’s achievements elevated the program’s profile and inspired future recruiting classes.

Program growth: The Rams’ 12 wins were the most since 2010, signaling a resurgence under Giffard’s long-term development strategy.
Recruiting boost: Success on the field helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent years, including several top-100 national prospects.
Conference prestige: Winning the A-10 regular season title reinforced VCU as a consistent contender in a competitive mid-major league.
National exposure: The NCAA Tournament appearance gave VCU visibility on a national stage, enhancing brand recognition.
Player development: Jordan Dover and others improved their professional prospects, with Dover later signing in the USL Championship.
Foundation for future: The 2014 season laid the groundwork for continued competitiveness, with VCU remaining a fixture in A-10 title races in the years that followed.

The 2014 VCU Rams men's soccer team remains a benchmark for excellence in program history, remembered for its disciplined play, postseason success, and role in elevating the university’s athletic reputation.