RICHMOND, Va. - The nationally-ranked Charlotte 49ers (6-2-2, A-10: 0-1-0) fell on the road at VCU (5-1-3, A-10: 1-0-0), 4-1, in both team's Atlantic 10 opener. The 49ers entered the game ranked 13th  in the Soccer America and NSCAA polls.

"It is unacceptable," Charlotte coach Kevin Langan. "Our performance tonight is unacceptable and below the standards that we have set for our program. It hurts tonight but we don't have much time to feel sorry for ourselves as we have to get ready for Richmond on Sunday."

VCU scored the game's first goal when Mario Herrera Meraz converted on a penalty kick in the 26th minute.

Charlotte tied the score at one when Isaac Caughran corralled a deflection and then put the ball into the lower right corner of the goal in the 39th minute. Caughran's goal was his first of the season and the eighth of his career.

VCU regained the lead for good when Devon Fisher scored off assists from Juan Monge Solano and Meraz in the 42nd minute.

VCU's Jason Johnson made the score, 3-1, when he scored off a Juan Arbelaez assist in the 63rd minute.

VCU's Garrett Harvey made the final score, 4-1, when he put a Meraz corner kick into the back of the net in the 71st minute.

Charlotte finished the game with a 10-8 advantage in shots. Donnie Smith and Giuseppe Gentile led the 49ers with two shots apiece.

Charlotte concludes their A-10 road trip to Virginia when they face Richmond on the road, Sunday, October 7 at 2:30 pm.