Sept. 26, 2012
NORFOLK, VA--The nationally ranked ODU Soccer Monarchs (6-1/0-1) return home for their Colonial Athletic Association home opener against George Mason (7-1/1-0) Friday night at the ODU Soccer Complex in the Fox Soccer Channel's national TV Game of the Week (Channel 225 in Hampton Roads Cox Cable). Game time is 7:07 p.m. and all tickets are $3.
ODU currently ranks ninth by College Soccer News, 12th by Soccer America, 14th by the NSCAA/Coaches poll and 16th by Soccer Times.com.
The Patriots are led in scoring by sophomore forward Timmy Mulgrew with five goals, four assists for 14 total points, followed by senior forward Taylor Morgan with six goals for 12 total points. Mulgrew is second in the CAA in total points, while Morgan is tied for third in the league. Senior goalkeeper Dustin Butcher has a 0.84 goals against average with three shutouts and only seven goals allowed, which is best in the CAA.
As a team, ODU ranks third nationally at 3.1 goals per game, while George Mason is ninth at 2.63.
The ODU Monarchs are led in scoring by junior Tim Hopkinson with eight goals, four assists and 20 total points, while senior co-captain Chris Harmon is third in scoring with four goals and four assistsfor 12 total points. Hopkinson leads the CAA and ranks third nationally in total points. He is tied for the CAA lead in assists with four as his teammate Harmon.
In all, ODU has five players in the CAA's top 10 in assists. All-American Yannick Smith, Jordan LeBlanc and Gideon Asante all have three assists. Senior goalkeeper Victor Francoz has a 1.16 goals against average, two shutouts and 25 total saves. He ranks third in the CAA in saves and second in shutouts.
SERIES: Last year, The Patriots defeated ODU, 1-0 in Fairfax on a second half goal by Taylor Morgan. In similar opponents, ODU defeated Navy, 4-0 and George Mason lost to the Midshipmen, 2-1. The Patriots lead the series 17-14-2.
On air TV talent will be Dean Linke (Play-by-Play), Keith Tabatznik (color) andsideline reporter, Charlie Slagle.