Aug. 21, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC--Old Dominion University junior forward Chris Harmon's (Downingtown, PA.) goal midway in the second half lifted the Monarchs to a 1-0 exhibition win over George Washington Sunday evening at Mount Vernon Field in Washington, DC. Sunday. ODU, pre-season ranked 26th by College Soccer News and 34th by TopDrawerSoccer.com is 2-0 in the pre-season.
"This was a good win against a difficult opponent on the road.We were patient and composed and managed the game well. We will need to tighten up this week as we prepare to face Navy in our home opener."- ODU Head Coach Alan Dawson.
After a 0-0 first half, Harmon put the Monarchs on the board on sophomore Gideon Asante's (Sunyani, Ghana) low, driven cross from the right side. Harmon took an initial shot from 18 out that GW's keeper Alejandro Almodovar punch it wide, then Asante found Harmon repositioned on the back post for the touch-in goal.
ODU, which has advanced to the second round of the NCAA College Cup seven of the last nine years nearly took the lead in the 11th minute on Alex Vaughan's left-footed strike from 20 yards, but the attempt clanged off the right post and was cleared away.
The Monarchs dominated play, outshooting the Colonials, 15-4 overall and 5-1 in shots on goal. Monarchs junior goalkeeper Victor Francoz (Fleurieu Sur Saone, France) got the shutout.
Today's game was a family affair for GW's longtime head coach George Lidster and ODU senior forward Daniel Lidster (Burke, VA.)
The Monarchs open the regular season next Sunday, Aug. 28 at home against Navy. Game time will be 7 p.m.
ODU 0-1=1GWU 0-0=0
Shots: ODU (15), GW (4)SOG: ODU (5), GW(1)Corners: ODU (3), GW(6)Saves: ODU- Victor Francoz(1), GWE- Brendan Lafferty (1), Alejandro ALmodovar (3)