NORFOLK, VA-- The ODU Soccer Monarchs, ranked 25th in the NSCAA pre-season host Duke Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the ODU Soccer Complex. admission if free.
The Monarchs, picked fourth in Conference USA return seven lettermen from last year’s 11-6-1 squad that finished second in the regular season and advanced to the NCAA second round.
Under the direction of Head Coach Alan Dawson, the Monarchs have advanced to the NCAA tournament four consecutive years and 10 of the last 12. Dawson (322-134-41) enters the season as the nation’s 13th winningest active NCAA coach.
The top returnees include: Ryan Condotta (Jr. MF); Skylar Hagan (Sr. MF), Geoffrey Hill (Jr., MF.); Nick Hutchinson (So. F/MF); Ivan Militar (Sr, F.); Jesse Miralrio (So, F); Michael Nelson (Jr. D.); Cole Stringer (So. MF) and Nate Foglesong (Sr. D). Miralrio and Stringer were C-USA All-Freshmen selections. ODU also welcomes 11 new faces to the roster.
The Monarchs play an exhibition at No. 17 Coastal Carolina on Aug. 19. The regular season opener is Aug. 29 at No. 3 Virginia while the regular season home opener is Sept. 5th against No. 22 North Carolina in the 38th annual Stihl Soccer Classic.
The Blue Devils are coached by John Kerr who is in his seventh season. Duke returns 16 letterwinners from last year's squad which include Brody Huitema and Sean Davis, who together combined for 12 goals and seven assists for 31 total points.