Aug. 20, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU women's soccer team heads out on the road tomorrow to open the 2009 regular season with a game against the ACC's North Carolina State. The game begins at 7:00 pm in Raleigh and will be the season opener for both teams.
After graduating nine seniors last season, the Lady Monarchs will boast a new look in 2009. ODU will return five starters including sophomore Victoria Johnson (Norfolk, Va.), who scored nine goals and seven assists a year ago en route to an All-Rookie conference selection. The returning core will be led by Johnson, as well as sophomore defender Lisa Bernardini (Langhorne, Pa.), senior defender Brittney Kortz (Yorktown, Va.) and junior midfielder Ashley Kukura (Virginia Beach, Va.). Sophomore midfielder Jocelyn Weidner (Harrisburg, Pa.) also took over a starting slot last year and will be a cool hand in the midfield.
Head coach Bri Alvarado (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Laura Bush (Ft. Thomas, Ky.) will be stepping in to take the place of ODU record holder Lauren Tupman. Eight more rookies are in the fold for Pereira including a trio of forwards that could give Johnson added help on attack: Ashlee Coutu (Lebanon, Conn.), Kelly Evans (Ashburn, Va.) and Aubrie Ewell (Richmond, Va.).
Last season, the Lady Monarchs hosted NC State and defeated the Wolfpack, 1-0, for the program's first ever win over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent. The win pulls the all-time series to 1-2-1.
NC State played one exhibition this fall, winning 7-0 against VMI led by senior Chantalle Dugas. Dugas scored three goals in the second half, while sophomore Tanya Cain addeda goal and an assist in the game. Sophomore Kim Kern pitched a first half shutout while rookie goalkeeper Abbie Swank matched her in the second half.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm. Live stats will be available here as soon as the game begins.
Also, don't forget to check out the Lady Monarchs in action this pre-season in the photo gallery below!