March 10, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- Rookie midfielder Lisa Bernardini tied the game at eight with just six seconds remaining in the half and sparked a 5-1 run into the second half to lead Old Dominion (2-0) past visiting Richmond (0-5) by a score of 16-13. Bernardini scored four goals in the final 30:06 and had an assist as the Lady Monarchs won their second game of the season. Junior Ashley Kellogg also added four goals in the game, while seniors Kelly Kimener and Jessica Noone each had three.
The two teams battled in the first half, with five lead changes and five ties in the frame. Mandy Friend led the way for Richmond, scoring six goals of the Spiders eight goals in the half. ODU's Ashley Kellogg and Kelly Kimener each had three to keep the game tight.
With just 25 seconds remaining in the half, Friend scored her sixth to pull the Spiders up 8-7 and cap a 4-1 run to pull ahead after being down 6-4. The Spiders got the ensuing draw and looked to run out the clock, but an errant pass rolled out of bounds and gave ODU the ball. With about 14 seconds remaining, Jessica Capra found Bernardini in the middle of the field and the rookie sped downfield, beating several defenders and scoring with just six seconds left to tie the game at eight.
Old Dominion would come out of the half with the momentum and scored four of the next five goals to pull ahead by three, 12-9. It was the largest lead of the game and one that the Lady Monarchs would not relinquish. Richmond pulled within one, 13-12, with a Jules Nicola tally on an assist by Friend, but the Lady Monarchs got three goals out of their stall offense in the final ten minutes.
Two of those three came from senior Jessica Noone, including the gamewinner. Bernardini had the third with 6:13 remaining to cap her terrific game, giving her a career-high five points and four goals. For the second game in a row, Kellogg tied her career-high in goals with four and continues to lead the team in scoring with eight goals and nine points.
Friend was held quiet in the second half, aside from an assist, but leading scorer for the Spiders, senior Alli Furstenburg was not, scoring two of the five Richmond goals and adding an assist on another.
ODU will now hit the road for three games, with UMBC up first on Friday, March 13 at 4:00 pm.