Aug. 30, 2002
The Old Dominion men's soccer team won their season opener 3-2 over Va. Tech in overtime on Friday as freshman Bamidele Oluwalana (Oslo, Norway) scored :18 seconds into the first overtime.
Sophomore Kevon Harris (Kingston, Jamaica) sent a long cross from right to left across the field to Oluwalana who secured the pass and fired the game-winner by the goalie into the left corner. That was the second of two unanswered Monarch goals as senior Ben Cummins (Queensland, Australia) made a penalty kick attempt with just 9:30 remaining on the clock.
ODU had to come from behind twice in this matchup as Va. Tech scored an early goal just past the five-minute mark in the first half. That was followed up by 60 minutes of scoreless soccer until the Monarchs found an equalizer in the 64th minute. Forward Kyle Hartley (Va. Beach, VA) sent a diving header into the net off a free kick pass from Harris. The Hokies went back up by one when Lasse Mertins netted a header off a corner kick from teammate Charlie Howe.
The Monarchs played tough defensively as well saving the game on numerous occasions with big plays. The biggest came halfway through the first half when the Hokies were able to slide a shot through the box past Monarch goalie Sam Cameron (Raleigh, N.C.), but it was kicked away by a sliding Anders Haugom (Gjovik, Norway). Cameron compiled six saves on the night keeping ODU in the game despite the rainy conditions.
Old Dominion (1-0/0-0) will next play host to nationally ranked Wake Forest next Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the ODU Soccer Field.
Scoring Summary
Shots:
VT: 16ODU21
Goals:
VT5:10O'Brien from BenderothODU64:02Hartley from HarrisVT79:06Mertins from HoweODU80:30CumminsODU90:18Oluwalana from Harris
Corners:
VT:7ODU4
Saves:
VT:3ODU:6
Fouls:
VT:18ODU17
Offside:
VT:1ODU:2