RICHMOND, Va. - The Old Dominion women’s soccer team completed its perfect spring with a hard fought 1-0 victory over instate-rival VCU. The Lady Monarchs completed their spring season with a 5-0 record. ODU has outscored its opponents 10-0 in its five games, earning an impressive five shutouts.
The game opened with a high level of intensity that would be maintained largely throughout the match. The Lady Monarchs were the first to threaten in the opening stages of the match through Kira Laurento. Deirdre Bradley did well to find Laurento at the edge of the area who then turned well to put herself clear in the box. The Rams goalkeeper stayed big and smothered Laurento’s shot. The Rams were quick to create a chance of their own moments later. As ODU failed to clear, a VCU wing delivered an excellent cross from the right wing but her teammate failed to covert at the back post with a header.
Kira was in the thick of it again as Iris Achterhof slotted an excellent pass to her in the box. Laurento timed her turn well and carefully placed her shot out of reach of the VCU goalkeeper in what looked certain to be the opening goal. However, a recovering defender desperately rushed back to her goal and cleared the effort just before it could cross the line.
The end-to-end action continued, this time with VCU testing Lady Monarchs goalkeeper Erin Kinz. A VCU forward found herself free at the edge of the area as defender Maddie Morningstar slipped but her attempt was gathered well by Kinz. VCU created soon after with another cross from the right wing and went close again, this time their effort flew into the side netting.
For a brief period towards the end of the first half, ODU’s opponents appeared in the ascendancy. An excellent dribble from the inside from the VCU wing was followed by a vicious left footed strike that left Kinz’s far post shaking. The Lady Monarchs would immediately counter through, as Achterhof, who beat her defender and passed to Laurento, who in turn beat her own defender and rounded the on-rushing VCU goalkeeper. Unfortunately she overran her dribble too wide and the cross was too long for Melanie Oakes to convert at the back post.
In the dying moments of the opening 45 minutes, ODU endured its final scare of the half. A stinging effort from the edge of the 18-yard box was spilled by Kinz and clinically put home by an opposition forward. Luckily, the assistant referee raised his flag for offside and the goal was ruled out.
The second half continued at a frenetic pace but saw ODU settle into its own period dominance. In the opening moments, a Thyla Peterson throw-in found Laurento at the edge of box and she turned well past her defender but fired her shot over the bar. It was a sign of things to come.
VCU would not take the increased pressure lying down and forced incoming freshman goalkeeper Erin Davidson into smart save in the 51st minute. Another right side dribble created room for a VCU to shoot but her bouncing effort was well held by Davidson.
ODU would take the lead in the 77th minute through an Iris Achterhof penalty. Laurento found herself free in a wide area and fired a cross towards the six-yard box. However, the balls progress was halted by the arm of a Rams defender and the referee awarded a penalty following a brief consultation with his assistant. Achterhof, after a period of waiting, finally stepped up and coolly passed the ball into the net and made it 1-0 to the Lady Monarchs.
As VCU dominated the end of the first half, ODU would control the end of the second. Christina Bashara would sting the palms of the Rams goalkeeper with a powerful strike from distance in the 85th minute. Kathryn Hill would try her luck from a similar position seconds later but she struggled to keep it down and it sailed over.
From the resulting goal-kick, VCU would fail to clear, and the ball fell to Laurento. She spotted the goalkeeper off her line and attempted an audacious chip but the VCU keeper recovered well making a clean catch.
A solid result to round up what has been a stellar spring season for the Lady Monarchs.
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 23: at VCU – ODU defeats VCU, 1-0
ODU ends spring season with a perfect 5-0 record, while not allowing one single goal in a total of 450 minutes.
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