RICHMOND, Va. -- Junior Leah Robinson scored the game's only goal midway through the first overtime period as Virginia Commonwealth (6-1) defeated East Carolina 1-0 Sunday evening at Sports Backers Stadium.

The two teams battled to a scoreless tie during the first 90 minutes of regulation and the early stages of the extra session before the Rams drew a corner kick with just under six minutes left. Junior Prue Cormie's boot cleared the goal crease and was controlled on the right flank by freshman Hedda Gardsjord, who promptly crossed the ball to an awaiting Robinson on the left side. Robinson then headed the ball past Pirates' goalkeeper Lauren Church at the 4:59 mark of overtime to give VCU (6-1) its sixth win in seven games to start the 2002 season.

The Rams controlled play for the majority of the night and built a 22-8 advantage in shots for the game, but the ECU (3-2-1) defense allowed only a handful of good scoring opportunities. VCU junior Catherine Duchesne hit the upper left post with a blast in the 42nd minute and Robinson sent a shot off the top crossbar with 22 minutes remaining in regulation for the Rams' best chances in the first two halves.

Church made seven saves for the Pirates on the evening, Four of which came after intermission.

Coach Donnenwirth responded to the loss: "We came out really sluggish in the first half, VCU is a good team and they took it to us. Lauren Church played a good game in the first half to keep it tied. In the second half we were gave a much better effort and had some good counter attacks, with McCallion and Duffy, but couldn't score. I felt the team worked hard and in the second half we gave a good attempt against a good VCU team.

ECU begins Conference USA play this Friday with a trip to Texas Christian.