Sept. 18, 2008
NORFOLK, VA - The Old Dominion University (2-3-1) soccer Monarchs return to action Friday for their final non-conference game of the season against Bryant University (1-4-1) at 8:00 p.m. following the ODU women's match against Akron at 6:00 p.m. at the ODU Soccer Complex.
This will be the first ever meeting between ODU and Bryant.ODU is led by sophomore forward T.J. Beaulieu (Apex, NC.) who has scored two the team's three goals this season.
Junior midfielder Dylan Montambo (Chesapeake, VA. ) and sophomore midfielder Haris Cekic ( London, Ontario) lead the team with one assist each. Sophomore Brennan Kirkpatrick has played four matches in goal with a 0.47 goals against average and two shutouts.
Last weekend, the Monarchs finished 1-1 at the 33rd annual Stihl Soccer Classic. ODU grabbed a 1-0 victory from UMass on Friday night and dropped a 1-0 decision to UCF on Sunday afternoon. Midfielders Trevor Banks (Madison, WI.) and Nane Joseph ( Yaounde, Cameroon) were named to the All-Tournament Squad for Old Dominion.Bryant is beginning their first season playing at the Division I level.
The Bulldogs are coming off an 11 win season and have posted 42 wins in the last five seasons in Division II. Senior midfielder Manny Rodriguez and freshman midfielder Ben Mello are leading the way for Bryant scoring three of the team's four goals this season. Bryant is coming of a 0-1-1 weekend after competing at the Pitt Invitational Tournament. The Bulldogs dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime to host Pittsburgh on Friday before playing to a scoreless tie with Robert Morris on Sunday. The Bulldogs are coached by Seamus Purcell, now in his 13th season.
ODU begins CAA action next Friday, September 26th as they travel to Newark to take on the Delaware Blue Hens at 7:00 p.m.