FARMVILLE, Va. - The Old Dominion women’s soccer team continued its undefeated spring with another shutout in a 2-0 victory over Longwood in Farmville. The Lady Monarchs are now 4-0 this spring season. ODU has outscored its opponents 9-0 in its four games so far this spring.
The Lady Soccer Monarch’s started brightly despite facing a first half against really strong windy conditions. In the 5th minute, Kathryn Hill played a ball to Christina Bashara on the right wing, whose cross was too high to find Melanie Oakes in the middle. Good link up play between Grace Haverly and Kira Laurento created a glimpse of the goal for Hill at the edge of the area but her left footed strike flew wide of the Lancers goal.
The deadlock was broken soon after in the 19th minute, as a well-worked corner between Laurento and Achterhof found a well-timed Haverly run at the front post. Haverly controlled well under pressure and slotted the ball past the onrushing Longwood goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
Longwood looked to respond immediately, following a well-defended but poorly cleared corner, the Lancers delivered another cross into the ODU penalty area, which was clawed away by Kinz under pressure. After a period of pressure from the home team, midway through the half ODU’s offensive managed to find some fluency.
A lofted pass from Deirdre Bradley put Oakes in behind the opposition’s defense and her cross found Bashara at the back post; however, the angle was too narrow and Bashara fired straight at the goalkeeper. Thyla Peterson was next to find Oakes, this time squaring to Achterhof, as she fired just over the bar under strong pressure.
The Lancers would have the ball in the ODU net moments later, following a free kick from a dangerous area, Longwood delivered a ball deep into the six yard box that bounced past Kinz into the net, however, it would be quickly ruled out for offside. The Lady Monarchs would continue to attack following the scare, with Melanie Oakes looking particularly threatening. Achterhof picked up a poor clearance and found Oakes on the right wing but her cut inside had no end product as she fired over from the edge of the penalty area.
Combination play from Kira Laurento and Deirdre Bradley found Oakes wide again, who beat her opponent but with the goal at her mercy, slotted it just past the oncoming goalkeeper’s far post to keep the score at 1-0.
With the wind at their backs, ODU would dominate the second half in term of chances and possession. After a spell of keeping the ball, Maddie Morningstar played Laurento on the right wing and her driven cross towards Achterhof was scrambled behind for a corner by the Longwood goalkeeper. Kathryn Hill would turn creator in the 57th minute, bouncing one-two’s off Bradley and Achterhof then slotting in Achterhof with a delicate pass.
ODU would launch a barrage of attacks from Achterhof corners throughout the second half with the visiting team making full use of the wind advantage. Narrow misses from Jackie Stroud, Haverly, Hill and Devyn Hannis came within inches from putting the ball home.
Another well-defended corner would be cleared by the Longwood defense, only as far as Karlie Kellstrom who would cross the ball into the box that would be headed narrowly over by Haverly. The Lady Monarch’s intensity continued until the end of the match and aggressive pressing from Kira Laurento saw her steal the ball from the Longwood backline. Against the goalkeeper, Laurento failed to keep her left footed effort down and flew narrowly over the bar.
In the 83rd minute, ODU would finally put the result beyond doubt through Christina Bashara scoring her first collegiate goal for the Lady Monarchs. Longwood failed to clear a Lady Monarchs throw-in from their defensive third, Bashara quickly turned inside from the left wing and fired a right footed shot towards goal which was too hot for the Lancers goalkeeper to handle, lifting ODU to a 2-0 road victory.
The Old Dominion University women’s soccer program welcomes all alumni back to town this weekend and will participate in their annual Alumni Game on April 16. The Lady Monarch’s will then close out their spring season away to VCU in Richmond on April 23.
2016 LADY SOCCER MONARCHS SPRING SCHEDULE
Friday, March 4: at VMI – ODU defeats VMI, 2-0
Saturday, March 19: at Richmond – ODU defeats Richmond, 1-0
Saturday, April 2: vs. ECU – ODU defeats ECU, 4-0
Saturday, April 9: at Longwood ODU defeats Longwood, 2-0
Saturday, April 16: ALUMNI GAME/BRUNCH (12:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 23: at VCU (2:00 p.m.)
BOLD indicates home events
*All times EST
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