Sept. 4, 2011
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NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University women's soccer scored three first half goals en route to their first victory of the season, a 3-1 triumph over Arizona State Sunday afternoon at the ODU Soccer Stadium.
The win is the first of the season for ODU, improving the Lady Monarchs to 1-3-1 on the season. It is also the first ever win over a Pac-12 school. The loss drops Arizona State to 2-2 on the year.
"Beating a quality opponent is just what the doctor ordered for us," head coach Joe Pereira said. We needed this win and now I feel we can get on a roll from here."
ODU grabbed the momentum early, and converted when Rachael Carroll sent a corner kick that Amber Cook headed into the back of the net to give ODU a 1-0 advantage in the eighth minute. The goal was the first of the season for Cook.
ASU tied the score in the 31st minute on an Alexandra Doller. Devin Marshall came through the left side and fired a shot that Brianna Alvarado saved, but Marshall and Alvarado collided, the ball found Doller who had an open net to tie the score at one.
The Lady Monarchs retook the lead in the 31st minute on a Lisa Bernardini goal. Bernardini received a tap pass from Kelly Evans along the left side and Bernardini drilled a shot that went over the Sun Devils keeper just inside the right pass for the 2-1 ODU lead.
Old Dominion wasn't done, in the 42nd minute Jocelyn Weidner sent in a free kick from the left side that Taylor Smith knocked in for her first collegiate goal to give ODU a 3-1 cushion.
ODU dominated the first half, leading in shots 9-6 and in corner kicks, 5-2.
Arizona State held the majority of play in the second half, outshooting ODU 6-1, but ASU could not get anything past Alvarado and the Lady Monarchs defense.
Arizona State held a slim final shot margin of 12-10 while ODU led in corner kicks 5-2.
Alvarado made seven stops in goal for ODU while Alyssa Gillmore made three saves for ASU.
The Lady Monarchs are back in action on Sept. 9 when they travel to College of Charleston to compete in the College of Charleston Cup. ODU takes on Coastal Carolina on Friday at 5 p.m. and CofC on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.