Old Dominion enters the match in the midst of its best season since 1991, in which ODU finished 18-2-2, won the CAA Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The team has won six straight games and ranks in the top-20 nationally in team defense (0.66 team goals against average) and shutout percentage (.500).
Virginia Commonwealth, the defending CAA Champions, are streaking through another strong season. The team has registered CAA wins over Richmond, William and Mary, George Mason and James Madison, and knocked off then No. 7 Maryland, 2-1.
The game will also feature the top four point scorers in the CAA as well as the second and third-ranked net-minders. Old Dominion senior forward Jimmy Tanner (Syracuse, NY) currently sits atop the league standings with 29 points on 14 goals and one assist, while freshman midfielder Michael Tooley (Richmond, VA) rates third with 20 points on eight goals and four assists.
VCU is led by All CAA senior forwards Kevin Jeffrey and Ricardo Capilla. Jeffrey is second behind Tanner in the scoring department, with 12 goals and three assists for 27 points. Meanwhile, Capilla, the 1998 CAA Player of the Year, rates fourth in the CAA with 18 points on six goals and six assists.
Senior keeper Chuck Connelly (Rockville, MD) brings his 0.74 goals against average and five shutouts into the contest, while VCU keeper Adam Mead enters the game with a 0.91 goals against average and three shutouts.
The Monarchs own a 15-5-2 record in the all-time series, but the Rams are 4-1-1 over the last six years. Old Dominion will also be recognizing its seniors, Tanner, Connelly, defender Andy Devlin (Fairfax, VA) and defender Spiros Blackburn (Denton, TX), in a special ceremony prior to the game.