March 27, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion scored four consecutive goals late in the second half to tie the game, but a Virginia Tech goal with only nine seconds remaining proved to be the deciding tally in a 13-12 Hokies victory over the Lady Monarchs women's lacrosse squad Saturday afternoon.
Old Dominion (2-3) held Virginia Tech scoreless for almost 22 minutes in the second half and four different Lady Monarchs tallied goals to tie the game at 12 with 2:16 remaining. However, Tech's Jessica Nonn blasted a free-position shot past ODU keeper Sarah Geary with only nine seconds left to give the Hokies the one-goal victory.
Sophomore Lisa Bernardini and senior Ashley Kellogg combined for eight goals and two assists, while senior Saratu Dodo and sophomore Sarah Wright notched two apiece. Geary recorded a game-high 14 saves on the day.
Virginia Tech (4-7) was led by Nonn's four goals and keeper Alex Gale made 10 saves, including seven in the second half.
After being outshot 23-14 and trailing 9-6 on the scoreboard at the end of the first half, ODU began to control the game in the second stanza. After two quick Virginia Tech scores gave the Hokies their largest lead (11-6), the Lady Monarchs scored six of the next seven goals to tie the game.
Bernardini registered three consecutive goals to commence the run and a Wright goal with 2:16 remaining knotted the game at 12. ODU then had possession in its own zone, but a turnover at the 1:17 mark allowed Tech to hold for a late shot.
With time running down a Nonn shot went wide right, but ODU was whistled for a foul. Nonn then found the back of the net on her free-position attempt and the Hokies won the ensuing draw control to seal the win.
The Lady Monarchs outshot Virginia Tech 18-13 in the second half, but Gale's seven saves proved to be critical for the Hokies.
Old Dominion will take on another intrastate rival on Wednesday, March 31 as the Lady Monarchs travel to Charlottesville to take on No. 5 Virginia at 7 p.m. ODU topped the Cavaliers, 13-10, last year in Norfolk.
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