Feb. 28, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs (1-0) opened the doors to the Powhatan Sports Complex for women's lacrosse action on Saturday, with an 8-7 win over American University (1-3). Junior Ashley Kellogg powered the Lady Monarchs to victory, tying a career-high in goals scored with four and in points with five. Rookie Lisa Bernardini added two unassisted goals and junior midfielder Saratu Dodo scored the game winner off of Kellogg's assist with under five minutes to go.
American jumped to an early lead, scoring the first two goals in the first 12 minutes. Lauren Schoenberger and Amanda Makoid scored for the Eagles. ODU, though, would counter with four straight to take the lead. Senior Jessica Noone connected off a pass from senior Kelly Kimener and then Kellogg notched her first off an assist from rookie Sarah Wright to tie the game.
Bernardini and Kellogg both scored unassisted goals to pull ahead two before American senior Gina Ibello stoppped the streak for ODU. Old Dominion would take the biggest lead of the game, though, with two more goals early in the second half. Again it was Bernardini and Kellogg giving ODU the cushion, with Nicole McMahon assisting on Kellogg's third goal.
American would not go quietly, though, and scored three more to tie it up with just under 17 minutes remaining. With the score tied at 6-6, ODU controlled the ball for much of the remainder. Kellogg would factor into both the go-ahead and the eventual gamewinner when, with 8:20 remaining, she put the team ahead with an unassisted score and just four minutes later Dodo knocked in the eventual gamewinner off a pass from her junior teammate.
Makoid would score her second on the day for American with just 17 seconds remaining for the final, 8-7.
Rookie goalkeeper Sarah Geary made five saves for the Lady Monarchs, allowing seven goals in her collegiate debut. The team defense was stellar, as Old Dominion caused 16 turnovers in the game, including five from Dodo. The Lady Monarchs outshot the Eagles, 25-17, in the game and each team grabbed eight draws.
Old Dominion returns to action at home on Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 pm as they play host to the Richmond Spiders.