NORFOLK, VA. (Sept. 12) - The Old Dominion University athletic department and men's soccer alumni will honor the memory of the late Mike Berticelli, soccer coach at Old Dominion from 1985-1991 on Sept. 17 with the dedication of a permanent plaque to be located in the Old Dominion Soccer Stadium.
The ceremony will be held in conjunction with this weekend's 25th annual Stihl Soccer Classic, prior to the 2:30 p.m. match between the Monarchs and Georgetown.
Berticelli passed away on Jan. 25th, 2000 in South Bend, IN, where he had served as the head soccer coach at Notre Dame since 1991. Berticelli compiled a 76-27-16 record at Old Dominion and led the team to Sun Belt Conference titles in 1987 and 1989. In 1989, he led the Monarchs to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Sept. 17 ceremony will include alumni players as well as Berticelli's widow, Cinda, and his sister Nancy Berticelli.
The Monarchs come into the tournament with a 1-1-1 record, after defeating Delaware, 4-0 Saturday in the Tribe Classic. Freshman forward Attila Vendegh (Bratislava, Slovakia) leads the team with three goals, followed by All-CAA junior midfielder, Carlos Mendes (Mineola, NY.) with one goal and one assist. Last week three Monarchs, Vendegh, Brandon Baker (Parker, CO.), and Anders Haugom (Gjovik, Norway) were named to the Tribe All-Tournament team.
Defending CAA Champion Tribe of William and Mary will be led by Carlos Garcia with four goals and two assists. He was the MVP of last weekends Tribe Classic. Goalkeeper Billy Platz has a .50 goals against average. The Tribe is 2-1. The Tigers of Princeton, who competed in last year's NCAA Tournament is 1-0, and will be led by Matt Behnceky who has scored two goals. Georgetown, who finished second in the Big East last year, is 3-0. Kenny Owens leads the Hoyas with three goals. Their goalkeeper is Brian O'Hagan who has a .50 goals against average.
Tickets for the Stihl Soccer Classic are $4 for adults and $3 for children. Old Dominion will play Princeton on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. preceded by the William and Mary-Georgetown match at 4:30 p.m. The Tribe will meet Princeton at noon on Sept. 17. For more ticket information, contact the Athletic Ticket office at 757-683-4444.