NORFOLK, VA—The 2013 ODU Soccer Monarchs travel to Duke for a 7 p.m. Friday evening exhibition match at Koskinen Stadium in Durham. The Monarchs are 2-0 thus far after 1-0 victories over third ranked Georgetown and 13th ranked Coastal Carolina.
The Blue Devils return seven seniors led by the 2012 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Sebastien Ibeagha who also scored five goals along with two assists and midfielder Sean Davis. Duke compiled a 8-8-2 record in 2012.
The Monarchs opened the preseason with a 1-0 victory Sunday night over No. 3 Georgetown. Ivan Militar scored the goal early in the first half on an assist from Ryan Oakes. ODU then defeated No. 13 Coastal Carolina, 1-0 on an early second half goal by freshman Jesse Miralrio.
ODU returns seven starters from last year’s 11-3-3 squad that ranked as high as fourth nationally and advanced to the schools third straight NCAA tournament and ninth overall in the last 11 years under head coach Alan Dawson. Key returnees include: Gideon Asante (Sr, MF, 3-time All-Conference); Tim Hopkinson (Sr, F, All-Region & 2-time All-Conference); Jason Gaylord (Sr, D); Ryan Condotta (So, MF, 2012 All-Rookie Team); Ryan Oakes (Sr, D); Skylar Hagan (Jr, MF); and Ivan Militar (Jr, F). The Monarchs will also have nine new faces.
ODU was picked to finish fourth by the C-USA coaches and senior forward Tim Hopkinson was selected to the pre-season All-C-USA team.
The Monarchs regular season opener is Aug. 30 in VCU’s Tournament against High Point. ODU’s regular season home opener is against William and Mary on Sept. 7.
ODU received honorable mention votes in the NSCAA coaches top 25 and will have six regular season opponents on its schedule in the preseason poll, including 2012 national semifinalists Creighton, and Maryland. ODU will play sixth ranked Creighton in the Stihl Soccer Classic on Sept. 13 and travel to second ranked Maryland on Sept. 24.
In C-USA battles, the Monarchs will also host 11th ranked New Mexico on Nov. 2 and travel to 14th ranked Tulsa on Sept. 28, 21st ranked Charlotte on Oct. 9 along with a non-conference match-up against 24th ranked VCU on Sept. 1.