Oct. 23, 2009
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Lady Monarchs defended the home field well as always, posting their 13th shutout in the last 15 games at the ODU Soccer Stadium, but were unable to score themselves and were forced to settle for a draw, 0-0, against Towson University (7-9-2, 3-5-1) Friday night. Old Dominion's record ran to 7-6-5, including a 3-2-4 mark in CAA action.
The Tigers would jump to a fast start, outshooting the Lady Monarchs 5-2 in the first half, but ODU took the advantage after the break with an 8-5 shot advantage. Though Towson put five shots up in the first, none were on frame while the Lady Monarchs got one on-net from senior Kirstin Walker (Inwood, W.Va.).
In the second half, ODU pushed, getting another shot on goal from Walker and one each from sophomore Victoria Johnson (Norfolk, Va.) and Kelly Evans (Ashburn, Va.). Evans' shot came off a header in the box that the Towson keeper snared just before finding the goal.
The defense shut down the Tigers after regulation, not allowing a shot from the Towson attack. Seniors Samantha Brennan and Brittney Kortz teamed with sophomores Lisa Bernardini and Rachael Carroll to lock down the back line and maintain ODU as the aggressor. The Lady Monarchs took three shots in the overtime periods, putting one on frame.
ODU's best chance came in the middle of the first half, as Johnson got space on the end line to cross a beautiful line drive in front of the goal mouth, but a pair of Lady Monarch forwards were unable to touch it in for the score.
Towson was afforded a restart with just 10 seconds remaining in the second overtime period after Walker was given a yellow card and got a long ball into the box, but no one got a touch as rookie goalkeeper Bri Alvarado collected it with the clock expiring.
Alvarado earned her sixth career shutout and her second 110 minute clean sheet. The true freshman saw her goals against average drop to 0.72 and her save percentage rise to .815.
Old Dominion will play a crucial game against George Mason on Sunday afternoon at 1;00 p.m. The Patriots are coming in with an impressive win over William & Mary on Friday night that vaulted them ahead of the Lady Monarchs in the CAA standings by just one point. The CAA tournament picture is still yet to be decided as Hofstra is the only school who has clinched a trip after a win over VCU tonight.
TOW 0-0-0-0=0ODU 0-0-0-0=0
Shots: TOW (10), ODU (10)Corner Kicks: TOW (8), ODU (5)Saves: TOW-Papciak (5); ODU-Alvarado (3)Cautions and Ejections: YC-ODU #2 (109:51)