NORFOLK, Va. -- On a windy, rain-soaked Friday night at the ODU Soccer Complex, the 16th-ranked Old Dominion men’s soccer team defeated UAB, 3-1, in the Monarchs’ Conference USA home opener.
ODU (5-1-1, 1-0-1 C-USA) scored three first half goals, one from Niko Klosterhalfen and two from Jesse Miralrio, to surge past UAB (3-6-0, 0-2-0 C-USA).
"We scored three goals in the first half, which is tough to do in a conference game," said head coach Alan Dawson. "So, I was very proud of my guys. They jumped all over UAB and put three goals up. That's a great lead to carry into the locker room."
Klosterhalfen opened the scoring in the seventh minute, collecting a rebound in the box and putting away a shot into the lower right corner. The goal was Klosterhalfen’s fourth of the year, tying for him for the team lead with Josue Henriquez.
The Monarchs then received two goals from Miralrio to extend their lead to three. In the 20th minute, Miralrio recovered a loose ball just outside the six and slipped a shot over the head of the diving UAB keeper, pushing the ODU lead to 2-0. Miralrio netted his second score of the match in the 35th minute, finishing a Klosterhalfen cross into the lower left corner.
The Monarchs carried the 3-0 lead into halftime, and held a 9-3 advantage in shots at the break.
"It's a little bit uncomfortable coming out of the locker room [with a 3-0 lead]," said Dawson. "You know they're going to change and they're going to be buzzing, looking for a chance, looking for a goal to get back in the game."
In the second half, UAB’s Ian Svantesson scored the Blazers’ lone goal in the 81st minute, firing a shot from 25 yards out that deflected off of a player and skipped past ODU goalkeeper Alex Tiesenhausen.
However, that was all Tiesenhausen, who finished with seven saves, and the Monarch defense would concede in the match.
Overall, the Monarchs outshot UAB, 12-11, in the match and held a 7-6 edge in corner kicks. Ryan Condotta led the Monarchs with five shots, including two on goal.
"All-in-all, I was very pleased," said Dawson. "A comfortable win."
| Final: #16 Old Dominion 3, UAB 1 | ||
| UAB | Stat Breakdown | ODU |
| Svantesson (81') | Goals | Klosterhalfen (7'), Miralrio (20'), Miralrio (35') |
| 11 | 8 | Shots | SOG | 12 | 6 |
| 6 | Corner Kicks | 7 |
| 11 | Fouls | 11 |
| 3 | Saves | 7 |
UP NEXT FOR ODU
The Monarchs remain at home for a mid-week match versus in-state rival VCU on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m.
VOUCHER BOOKS
Take advantage of the great offer to attend ODU soccer games through the ODU Soccer Voucher Book available online at www.ynottix.com or at the ticket gate for all home games. With the voucher book receive 20 ticket vouchers redeemable at any home men’s or women’s soccer games for the cost of just $25. With every purchase you also receive an official ODU Soccer scarf!
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