NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion men’s soccer holds the 41st Annual ODU Soccer Classic on Sept. 9 and 11 at the ODU Soccer Complex. No. 23 Vermont takes on Old Dominion [RV] on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and No. 18 Radford takes to the pitch against the Monarchs on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m.
All Old Dominion home matches are streamed on Conference USA TV. For a small subscription fee, fans unable to attend in person can watch all home ODU sporting events from the convenience of home. To watch Old Dominion vs. #23 Vermont CLICK HERE. For the Old Dominion vs. #18 Radford match CLICK HERE.
Live stats are also available for fans to follow along with by clicking the following links, Old Dominion vs. #23 Vermont and Old Dominion vs. #18 Radford.
The Monarchs [2-0-1] head into the weekend after defeating Loyola [Md.] 2-1 in a rainy match on Sept. 2 at the ODU Soccer Complex. Freshman midfielder Milan Devuyst scored the go-ahead goal, the first of his collegiate career, to put the Silver and Blue in the lead 2-1 and in position to win the match.
Old Dominion [RV] has outscored its opponents 6-3 through the first three matches and holds a 56-28 advantage in shots on the season. Leading the offense in points [5] is sophomore midfielder Niko Klosterhalfen with two goals and one assist on nine shots. Cole Stringer, Tyler Edwards, Jesse Miralrio and Devuyst combine for the Monarchs remaining four goals.
Redshirt-senior Alex Tiesenhausen remains a consistent force in net for the Monarchs posting a 0.93 goals against average and 10 saves so far this season. For the first time this season the Monarchs have received votes [RV] in the NSCAA Coaches Polls after their 2-0-1 start to the season.
No. 23 Vermont [4-0-0] has started the season off on a hot streak earning them a spot in the NSCAA Top-25. The Catamounts have outscored their opponents 11-2 with senior goalkeeper, Eric Venezia, giving up the only two goals of the season. Aron Runarsson has played the last two games in goal for the Catamounts and is posting a perfect 0.00% Goals Against Average.
Leading the scoring stats for No. 23 Vermont is senior forward Bernard Yeboah with six goals. Following in his tracks is Brian Wright, also a senior forward, who has recorded four goals to date.
No. 18 Radford [3-0-0] travels to Norfolk for day two of the ODU Soccer Classic on Sunday, Sept. 11, for a 2 p.m. matchup with Old Dominion. The Highlanders enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak and have shutout all opponents to date this season. No. 18 Radford plays at VCU on Friday, Sept. 9, as part of the ODU Soccer Classic.
Holding down the back line for No. 18 Radford is redshirt-junior Aitor Pouseu Blanco, who has played all 270 minutes in net. Sophomore forward Sivert Daehile leads the Highlanders with two of the teams’ four goals this season. Jakob Strandsater and Garland Smith combine for the remaining two Highlander goals.
STUDENT SPIRIT CONTEST
ODU student organizations are encouraged to come out this Friday night to participate in the annual ‘Student Spirit Contest’ as the Monarchs host No. 23 Vermont for game one of the ODU Soccer Classic. Groups must register at the marketing table as you enter through the student gate to be eligible to win a $500 prize that goes toward your student organization, resident hall or club team.
UP NEXT
After the conclusion of the ODU Soccer Classic, the Monarchs have a week off to prepare for the No. 9 Charlotte 49ers. The 49ers and Monarchs face off on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in the opening weekend of Conference USA matchups. Charlotte wraps up the six-game home stand for Old Dominion before they hit the road for a three-game stretch.
GREAT VALUE
A limited number of the 2016 ODU Soccer scarves remain for fans that purchase the ODU soccer voucher books. For just $25 fans get 20 vouchers that can be used to attend any home match for the ODU Men’s [Women’s] Soccer match during the 2016 season including this weekend ODU Soccer Classic against #23 Vermont [Fri. Sept. 9] and #18 Radford [Sun. Sept. 11].
BRING MAN’S BEST FRIEND TO THE GAME
Also throughout the season ODU Athletics is hosting ‘Sunday Dog Days’ where fans can bring their pups to all Sunday home men’s and women’s soccer matches. The men’s next ‘Dog Days’ promotion is Sunday, Sept. 11, against Radford.