Sept. 18, 2009
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format
NORFOLK, Va. -- Powered by a pair of goals from senior Kirstin Walker (Inwood, W. Va.) and stingy defense that allowed just four shots, the Lady Monarchs improved to 4-4 overall with a 3-0 victory over the Radford Highlanders (3-5) tonight. Walker's first career goal would prove to be the eventual gamewinner and she added a second in the second half.
Old Dominion jumped on top of Radford from the get-go, taking 12 shots in the first half including six on-goal. In the 26th minute of play, the Lady Monarchs were awarded a free kick just outside the left corner of the box and junior Ashley Kukura (Virginia Beach, Va.) would take the kick. Kukura lofted a pass into the middle of the box, where junior Saratu Dodo (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) would settle and one-touch the ball to Walker who knocked it in from five yards out.
The eventual gamewinner was the first goal of Walker's career off the first assist of the season for both Kukura and Dodo.
In the second half, the ODU pressure kept mounting, taking 15 shots in the frame including nine on-net. Walker would score her second in the 68th minute of play as Kukura made a head's up play on the sideline. With the Radford defense struggling to get back, she saved the ball from going out, turned and found Walker at the top of the box. Walker trapped it in stride and sent it into the upper 90 from 20 yards out.
Senior Jodi Knorowski (Newport News, Va.) would get in on the action with a score in the 83rd minute of play off an assist from Victoria Johnson (Norfolk, Va.). The sophomore forward received a pass from rookie Ashlee Coutu (Lebanon, Conn.) to the right corner and Johnson was able to cut into the box before sending a cross back through toward Coutu. Coutu just missed the strike, but Knorowski was trailing on the back post and knocked it in for the insurance goal.
The ODU defense remained stingy at home, allowing just four shots and just one attempt on-goal. Seniors Bri Alvarado posted her second career shutout with the victory, making one save.
Radford keeper Lisa Lubke played nearly 80 minutes, making eight saves while allowing two goals. She was relieved by Alex Traughber, who made three saves and allowed one goal.
ODU was led by Johnson in shots taken with seven including five on-goal. Walker was right behind with five shots including four on-goal and the two scores. Old Dominion outshot the Highlanders, 27-4.
The game was the first half of a doubleheader scheduled with the men's team. The ODU men also came away with a victory, defeating Penn State by a final score of 2-1.
The women's team will be back in action this Sunday at 1:00 pm, as they play host to the Loyola University (Md.) Greyhounds. Loyola shutout American University tonight, 2-0, to improve to 4-4-1 on the season.
RAD 0-0=0ODU 1-2=3
25:41 ODU Walker, Kirstin (1) from Kukura and Dodo67:24 ODU Walker, Kirstin (2) from Kukura82:51 ODU Knorowski, Jodi (1) from Johnson
Shots: RAD (4), ODU (27)Corner Kicks: RAD (1), ODU (5)Saves: RAD-Lubke (8), Traughber (3), TEAM (1); ODU-Alvarado (1)