Sept. 11, 2003
NORFOLK, VA - The Old Dominion Men's Soccer team (3-0-0) will kick off the 28th Annual Stihl Soccer Classic tomorrow night with its first ranking since Nov. 8, 1999. The Monarchs are currently ranked 7th by the NSCAA/adidas and 6th by Soccer America magazine, their highest ranking since being ranked fifth by the ISAA on Sept. 23, 1981.
ODU comes into the tournament having scored six goals and allowing none. Unlike seasons past, however, the six goals have come from six different scorers: Attila Vendegh (Bratislava, Slovakia), Kevin McMenamim (West Springfield, MA), Brian Cvilikas (Highlands Ranch, CO), Bamidele Oluwalana (Oslo, Norway), Ross Mackenzie (Richmond, VA) and Trevor McEachron (Woodbridge, VA). Senior Monarch goalkeeper Sam Cameron (Raleigh, NC) has yet to allow a goal in 270 minutes of play.
The Monarchs first play American University at 7:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 12, then play Longwood University Sunday, Sept. 14, at 2:30 PM. ODU holds a 11-7-3 all-time record against American, with ODU defeating the Eagles 3-2 in Washington, DC last season. ODU won its only game against Longwood, 2-0, in 1985.
American has a 1-2-1 record, having narrowly lost their previous game to top-ranked Maryland 2-1. Andrew Herman leads the Eagles with three goals on 19 shots. Nathan Baker and Peter Philipakos each have a goal. Shawn Kuykendall leads the team in assists with two. American has been out-shot 57 to 47 so far this season.
Longwood currently has a 2-3-0 mark as they continue to make their transition into Division I soccer. Stuart Bertsch leads the Lancers with three goals on 13 shots. Matt Dishner and James Agorsor also have scored a goal each. Longwood has been outscored 13 goals to five so far this season, last losing to UNC-Pembroke 5-0.
Fellow CAA competitors, William and Mary, come into the Stihl Soccer Classic with a 2-1-0 record and have received votes in the Coaches poll during the season. The Tribe are fresh off a pair of 2-1 wins over N.C. State and Duke at the Summit Hospitality Invitational. Their lone loss comes from Rutgers, a school currently ranked 8th in the NSCAA/adidas coaches poll. Phil Hucles and Patrick Scherder have each scored two goals and have one assist this season to lead the team.
William and Mary takes on Longwood Friday at 4:30 PM and plays against American Sunday at 12:00 PM.
Before the Monarchs' match-up against American Friday night, students can enjoy a student picnic in the Athletic Administration Parking Lot from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. All ODU students with a meal plan can use their card to eat at the game and commuter students who are Monarch Maniacs will be provided with pizza. All other students can pay $5 to eat.
Basketball coaches Blaine Taylor and Wendy Larry will also be making an appearance and speaking during halftime of the ODU game Friday night.
Fans can register to win several great prizes, including a DVD player, five airline tickets and a Sony Disc Man. One lucky fan may take home a $25,000 pick-up truck, courtesy of Green-Gifford. For more information, please call the Ticketing department at 683-5484 or Promotions at 683-3372.