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NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University women's soccer started off the 2012 season in grand fashion with a 2-0 shutout victory over NC State Friday night at the ODU Soccer Stadium.
The win is the first season opening win since 2008 and ODU's second ever win over NC State.
The Wolfpack had the first good chance of the game when Caroline Gentry sent a cross from the right side that went off the left post before being cleared out.
ODU followed with an opportunity as Jessie Klamut sent a header that was stopped by Victoria Hopkins.
The Lady Monarchs got on the board in the 28th minute when Taylor Mertz sent a pass from the left side to Coutu, who flipped the ball over a diving Hopkins, went right and fired into the open net for a 1-0 lead.
Old Dominion struck quickly in the second half, tacking on an insurance goal just over a minute into the half. Taylor Mertz got the ball deep in ODU's half and raced all the way down the right side before unleashing a blast to the far post past Hopkins for her first career collegiate goal.
Despite being outshot 16-5 in the second half, the majority of NC State's shots were well outside the box, and when they were on target, goalkeeper Brianna Alvarado came up with the stop.
A young but strong back line led by Nikki Clarke, Caroline Survill, Sarah Price and Sarah Brock, as well as several others, cleared the way for Alvarado who made five saves.
Hopkins also came up with five saves for NC State.
Gentry had six shots to lead the Wolfpack while Meagan Proper and Sharon Wojcik had four apiece.
Devin Dougherty had three shots to lead ODU while Mertz and Taylor Smith had two each.
The Lady Monarchs hit the road for three-straight starting Wednesday, Aug. 22 when they travel to East Carolina.