April 16, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Lady Monarchs (9-3, 3-1) will take on the 20th ranked Hofstra Pride (9-4, 3-1) in a crucial Colonial Athletic Association game Friday at 4:00 pm in a battle for first place. The teams are currently tied with Delaware and William & Mary for first place in the league with 3-1 records and the head-to-head matchup will factor heavily in seeding for the 2009 CAA Tournament.
ODU boasts the best win streak in the conference, at three straight wins including a pair over teams ranked or receiving votes in the national poll. The Lady Monarchs will lean on senior midfielder Kelly Kimener, leading scorer for ODU this season. Kimener has scored at least three points in six straight games and ten of the last eleven contests.
Classmate Jessica Noone has also played well of late, with 13 points in the last four games. She posted five goals in a comeback overtime win against #20 James Madison last week and has five hat tricks this season. Junior Ashley Kellogg continues to add to her career-best season and had nine points last week with eight goals and an assist.
Hofstra is led by junior midfielder Corrine Gandolfi, with 54 points on 32 goals and 22 assists. She also leads the team in draws with 25 and has added 18 ground balls. Liz Falco and Stephanie Rice each have scored 20 goals or more for the Pride, while Ashley Jones has 11 assists.
In goal, the Pride look to junior Mary Cuddihy, with all of the Hofstra decisions and a 9.51 goals against average. Cuddihy has a .473 save percentage in net for the Pride.
With both teams in a tie for first place in the league at 3-1, the win could clinch a spot in the CAA Tournament for either team. The game will begin at 4:00 pm at the Powhatan Sports Complex and live stats will be available at www.odusports.com.