In a match that could determinewho gets the top spot in the CAA tournament, Old Dominion will beattempting to put distance between themselves and the rest of theconference pack while the Tribe tries to regain some lost momentum. TheMonarchs (5-4-1) are currently first in the CAA at 3-0 while William & Mary(4-4-2) is third with a record of 1-0-1. Most recently, ODU picked up theirthird straight conference win with a 3-0 decision over Richmond whileWilliam & Mary had an overtime triumph against George Mason.
Both teams enter the contest with plenty of scoring power. TheMonarchs' Attila Vendegh (Bratislava, Slovakia), Chad Denton (Va. Beach,VA), and Carlos Mendes (Mineola, NY) are all ranked in the conference topten for scoring, as are the Tribes' Carlos Garcia and Phillip Hucles. Eachteam has also seen plenty of top-ranked competition this season, with OldDominion defeating #13 Georgetown and the Tribe upending #6 Virginia.
The Monarchs have had mixed results with the Tribe over the last twoseasons. Old Dominion defeated their local rivals in the regular seasoneach year, but stumbled against the Tribe in the postseason afterwards.William & Mary owns a 17-11-7 edge against the Monarchs in the series, withtheir most recent win coming in the CAA semifinals last season. William &Mary would go on to win their fifth CAA crown and advance to the NCAATournament for the eighth time since 1985.