Sept. 2, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- After starting the season 3-0, outscoring opponents 8-3 and taking two overtime victories this weekend, the Lady Monarchs women's soccer team has surged ahead in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Rankings. According to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas poll, Old Dominion is the eighth best team in the region while SOCCER BUZZ has the team listed in the tenth slot, jumping seven spots since last week.
Head coach Joe Pereira's team ranks in the NSCAA/adidas poll for the first time since the final regular season poll of 2006, released November 7, 2006. The team had just won the CAA Championship and came in at eighth in the poll. Now, ranked eighth again in the Mid-Atlantic Region, the Lady Monarchs are one of three CAA teams ranked in the region. The team ranks just two slots behind CAA rival William & Mary (1-1-1) and two slots ahead of James Madison (1-1-1).
In the SOCCER BUZZ poll, Old Dominion ranks in as the tenth best team in the region. Receiving votes in the top 15 a week ago, the Lady Monarchs jumped seven spots this week, including James Madison, who remained idle at 11th in the region.
This weekend, ODU opens up their home schedule as the team hosts Liberty (0-2) on Friday at 7:00 pm and Elon (1-1) on Sunday at 1:00 pm. The team features a potent scoring attack with senior Shavon Knight (4 goals) leading the league in goals and goals per game. Freshman Victoria Johnson (2 goals, 1 assist) is also among the league leaders in points per game. Liberty has been shutout twice so far this season by two ACC opponents and Elon split their two games with ACC foes, defeating Maryland this weekend.
NSCAA/adidas Regional RankingsMiddle Atlantic Region1. Virginia 3-0-02. West Virginia 2-1-13. Georgetown 3-0-04. Villanova 3-0-05. Rutgers 3-0-06. William & Mary 1-1-16. Richmond 3-0-08. Old Dominion 3-0-09. Pennsylvania 0-0-010. Bucknell 2-1-110. James Madison 1-1-1
SOCCER BUZZ MAGAZINEMid-Atlantic RegionTeam Record Last Week1. Virginia 3-0 12. West Virginia 2-1 23. Villanova 3-0 34. Georgetown 3-0 65. William & Mary 1-1-1 56. Richmond 3-0 107. Penn 0-0 78. Princeton 0-0 89. Rutgers 3-0 1210. Old Dominion 3-0 RV11. James Madison 1-1-1 1112. Bucknell 2-1-1 RV13. Seton Hall 1-1 1314. Navy 2-1 1415. Virginia Tech 2-1 15Receiving votes: Maryland (1-2)