Oct. 19, 2008
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format
NORFOLK, Va. -- Coupled with a William & Mary loss across the water, the ODU Lady Monarchs (13-2-1/6-1-1) stormed into first place in the CAA with a 3-0 shutout over VCU (8-7-1/4-3-1). The team is tied with Hofstra atop the standings, who defeated Georgia State today, 4-3. ODU posted their 10th shutout of the season and scored two goals in the first ten minutes to defeat the Rams in conference play. The win sealed an unbeaten record at home this season, as ODU boasts an 8-0-1 mark, allowing just one goal at home all season.
In their final home regular season game, the seniors made an impact right away against VCU. Senior defender Marilee Mastaler scored the eventual gamewinner on her first career goal, just 6:50 into the match. ODU was awarded a corner kick, but the defense managed to clear it out of the box. Mastaler, however, was there and sent a low line-drive to the left side of the goal for the score. It was her first career goal in over 50 games as a Lady Monarch defender.
Just two and a half minutes later, fellow senior Janna Pearson scored her first goal of the season off assists from sophomore Ashley Kukura and senior Jenni Purdum. Purdum continued her stellar conference play with her fifth career assist and Pearson notched her 14th career goal.
ODU continued to pressure the VCU defense in the half, taking 10 shots in the period with seven on-frame. The seventh would come with just 17 seconds remaining in the half as freshman Victoria Johnson grabbed her seventh goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Alyssa Pietrobono and Jodi Knorowski.
Colby Owen played the full 90 minutes for the shutout, her first and the teams 10th on the season. Her defense, led by seniors Mastaler and Elizabeth Brewster allowed just five shots in the game, a season-low in conference play.
VCU's best chance came in the 65th minute off a corner kick as Megan Flanagan sent the ball into the box and Samara Stephen-Dowd got a head on it, directing it to the right corner. Knorowski, though, stayed her ground on the near post and was able to make the team save and extend the shutout.
ODU's shutout was the eighth at home this season, as the team finished up the 2008 season unbeaten at home, with an 8-0-1 record. ODU outscored opponents 28-1 on their home field this season.
ODU closes out the regular season with three road games, starting with a 3:00 kick at Towson on Friday, October 24. ODU stays on the road to face George Mason on Sunday at 1:00 pm and will close out the regular season against William & Mary on Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 pm.
VCU 0-0=0ODU 3-0=3
6:50 ODU Mastaler, Marilee (1) unassisted9:20 ODU Pearson, Janna (1) from Kukura & Purdum44:43 ODU Johnson, Victoria (7) from Pietrobono & Knorowski
Shots: VCU (5), ODU (14)Corners: VCU (3), ODU (5)Saves: VCU-Van Covern (4), Hardison (0); ODU-Owen (0), TEAM (1)