BOCA RATON, FL—The ODU Soccer Monarchs (9-3-1/6-1) won their fifth straight and sixth of their last seven with a 2-1 Conference USA victory over Florida Atlantic Saturday night. It was the Owls first home loss of the season. ODU regains the league lead over UAB who won last night and New Mexico who lost today with 18 total points. ODU is 4-0-1 on the road this year.
“We managed the game well today after scoring two early goals to remain unbeaten on the road this year, said ODU’s head coach Alan Dawson. “It was a big week for us and we responded with three wins and nine points. I am very proud of the boys.”
ODU’s first goal came 14:24 into the match from freshman Jesse Miralrio (Arlington, TX.) on an assist from senior Tim Hopkinson (Nottingham, England). Hopkinson crossed the ball just outside the box where Miralrio headed it in. It was Miralrio’s third goal of the season and second this week. The assist was Hopkinson’s fourth of the season.
Five minutes later, senior defender Jason Gaylord (Kendall, NY.) headed in an Ivan Militar (Szeged, Hungary) corner kick for a 2-0 Monarch lead 19:06 into the match.
FAU got on the board in the final minute of the match on a goal by Jason Fitzgerald. ODU outshot FAU 13-8 overall and 8-1 in shots on goal.
Hopkinson who has two assists this week, now has 22 total points on nine goals, and four assists. Militar now has four goals and four assists for 12 total points. Goalkeeper Sean Stowe lowered his goals against average to 1.13.
The Monarchs return to action Wednesday night in Richmond when they travel to No. 24 VCU in a 7 pm. match at the Sports Backers Stadium. This is a make-up game from the Sept. 1 date that was cancelled due to bad thunderstorms. VCU currently leads the Atlantic 10.
ODU 2-0=2
FAU 0-1=1
14:24 ODU Jesse Miralrio from Tim Hopkinson
19:06 ODU Jason Gaylord from Ivan Militar
89:20 FAU Jason Fitzgerald
Shots: ODU (13), FAU (8)
SOG: ODU (7), FAU (1)
Corners: ODU (6), FAU (5)
Saves:ODU-Sean Stowe (0); FAU-Theo Jamilloux (5)