Oct. 2, 2012
NORFOLK, VA--The nationally ranked ODU Soccer Monarchs (7-1/1-1) return to action Wednesday night when they host the Dukes of James Madison (4-4-1/2-0) at the ODU Soccer complex. Game time is 7 p.m. The Monarchs are ninth nationally by College Soccer News, 11th by the NSCAA/Coaches, 12 by Soccer America and 13th by Soccer Times.
ODU's junior Tim Hopkinson is sixth nationally in total points with 20 on eight goals, and four assists,while he is also sixth in goals scored. Jordan LeBlanc has 13 points on five goals and three assists,followed by Chris Harmon with 12 points on four goals and four assists.
Five Monarchs have three or more assists, while five also have atleast two or more goals.ODU has three shutouts as senior Victor Francoz has a 1.26 goals against average along with 28 total saves.
As a team, the Monarchs are third nationally in scoring at 3.13 points per game which includes 25 total goals which is fifth best nationally. The Monarchs 21 assists are 16th best nationally.
The Dukes are led by in scoring by senior forward Paul Wyatt with five goals, one assist for 11 points,Followed by sophomore forward Josh Grant with four goals and one assist for nine total points. Junior Goalkeeper Colin Newcity has a 0.98 goals against average with three shutouts on the season thus far.
The Dukes have played two nationally ranked teams, beating then No. 2 North Carolina, 1-0 back on Sept. 11, and losing to No. 11 Georgetown, 1-0 last week.
JMU leads the series, 19-13-5. The Dukes edged ODU, 3-2 last year in Harrisonburg. The Monarchs last defeated the Dukes in 2009, 1-0.
The match will also be video streamed by Monarch Media on www.odusports.com with Director of Broadcasting Ted Alexander providing the play-by-play and former Monarch Kevon Harris ('11),providing the color.