Oct. 27, 2009
NORFOLK, VA--Virginia Commonwealth led 1-0 until four seconds left in regulation when ODU freshman Chris Harmon tied match, then fellow freshman Shane Howard won the game with a penalty kick less than five minutes into the first overtime period for a 2-1 Monarch victory.
ODU is now 9-4-2 overall and 4-3-2 in the CAA, while VCU drops to 5-8-2 overall and 2-6-1 in the CAA. ODU now has 14 points.
In the end, it was ODU's three freshman, Chris Harmon, Yannick Smith and Shane Howard who figured in both goals.
The Rams took the lead in the first half as Carlos Picardo headed a shot in at the far post with an assist from James Neighbour and Romario Blandon.
ODU gathered the ball as time was running out as Yannick Smith (Hillsborough, NJ.)hit Harmon (Downingtown, PA.) on a rightside cross for the game tying goal. In the overtime period, The Monarchs attacked quickly with three shots until just before the five minute when a foul in the box was called, and freshman Shane Howard (Co. Carlow, Ireland) scored to end the match.
ODU outshot the Rams, 14-10, including 9-3 in shots on goal. ODU's Evan Newton (Virginia Beach, Va.) had two saves and VCU's Gabriel had seven.
Smith now leads the Monarchs with 11 points on three goals, and five assists.Shane Howard is second with 10 points on two goals and a team best six assists.
The Monarchs host Drexel Friday night in the final home game at 7 p.m. It will also be the final regular season home game for Monarch seniors Ambane Emmanuel (Cameroon), Bobby Foglesong (Fredericksburg, VA.), Nane Joseph (Cameroon), Jason Loizou (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Adrian LeRoy (Ottawa, Canada).
VCU 1-0-0=1ODU 0-1-1=2
8:41 VCU Carlos Picardo from James neighbor and Romario Blandon89:56 ODU Chris Harmon from Yannick Smith94:56 ODU Shane Howard on a penalty kick
Shots: ODU (14), VCU (10)Corners: ODU (6), VCU (1)Saves: ODU-Newton (2), VCU (7)