Sept. 9, 2011
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Taylor Smith and Ashlee Coutu scored while Brianna Alvarado stopped four shots as Old Dominion University women's soccer shutout Coastal Carolina 2-0 Friday evening in the first game of the College of Charleston Cup.
With the win, ODU improves to 2-3-1 while Coastal Carolina drops to 0-5-1.
The Lady Monarchs spent the majority of the first half on the attack and got on the board in the 33rd minute of play. Tori Diersen played a ball from midfield that bounced to Taylor Smith who lofted a shot over the CCU keeper. The goal is the second of the season for Smith and Diersen's first career assist.
ODU tacked on an insurance goal in the 81st minute. Following an Alvarado save, ODU pushed up and Ashlee Coutu fired a shot that was saved by Saundra Baron, the rebound came right back to Coutu who slipped a shot into the goal for the 2-0 lead.
Coastal Carolina did not get a shot off until the 37th minute of play, when Christina Stern broke in from the left, but Brianna Alvarado came up with the save.
The Lady Monarchs outshot the Chanticleers in the first half 8-2 and held a 10-2 corner kick advantage.
ODU had several solid chances in the first half, Lisa Bernardini had a shot from the left side that was saved by Saundra Baron. Off a corner kick, Victoria Johnson lofted a shot over Baron, but a pair of CCU defenders were there to knock it away.
In the 80th minute, Cisca Okoko was able to break free in the middle and fired a shot from 18 yard out that Alvarado jumped up to knock away.
The Lady Monarchs immediately came down the field as Coutu scored her goal to increase the lead to 2-0.
ODU outshot CCU 12-5 and dominated in corners, 14-3.
Alvarado finished with four saves while Baron had three stops for the Chanticleers.
ODU returns to action on Sunday when they face College of Charleston in the second game of the tournament at 2:30 p.m.
Click on the video below to watch interviews with Joe Pereira, Taylor Smith and Tori Diersen.
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