NORFOLK, VA—For the second straight game, the ODU Soccer Monarchs defense pitched a shutout as freshman Jesse Miralrio (Arlington, TX.) scored the game winner early in the second half to give ODU a 1-0 exhibition win over 13th ranked Coastal Carolina. ODU defeated third ranked Georgetown last Sunday.
“We have one of the toughest schedules in the country,” said Monarch head coach Alan Dawson. “We feel like our exhibition games better prepare us for the tough road ahead. We also wanted to try out different guys in these exhibitions and every player got in the game today.After we had our chance and scored, we were able to hold them off from there. We returned three of our four starting defensive backs from last season and newcomer Michael Nelson (Austin, TX.)is a perfect fit back there with those three returnees. Jesse Miralrio took a big step today. He dribbled through a few defenders and scored a brilliant goal and Ivan Militar (Hungary) has also stepped up and created many opportunities for us.”
After battling 0-0 for 47-plus minutes, Miralrio dribbled through traffic and nailed the goal into the upper lefthand corner of the net.
ODU outshot Coastal, 17-7 overall and 9-5 in shots on goal. Senior keeper Sean Stowe (Midlothian, VA.) and sophomore Connor Miller (Salisbury, NC.) teamed for the shutout and five saves.
Last year, the Chanticleers ranked second nationally with 62 goals scored and advanced to the NCAA round of 16.
The Monarchs travel to Durham, NC for a Friday evening match against Duke for their third and final exhibition. The regular season begins on Aug. 30 against High Point at the VCU Tournament.
CC 0-0=0
ODU 0-1=1
ODU 52:37 Jesse Miralrio unassisted
Shots: CC (7); ODU (17)
SOG: CC (5): ODU(9)
Corners: CC(1), ODU(6)
Saves: CC-Cook(4), Bertele(2), Petrus (2); ODU Stowe (3), Miller (2)