BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Old Dominion women’s soccer team (6-11-0, 4-5-0 C-USA) spoiled Senior Night for Western Kentucky by a 1-0 score (12-6-0, 7-3-0 C-USA) at the WKU Soccer Complex on Friday. The Lady Toppers entered the night in a tie for first in the Conference USA standings.
Iris Achterhof struck for the match’s only goal in the 13th minute from 30 yards out to give the Lady Monarchs an early 1-0 advantage. The goal, which drifted just over the keeper’s out-stretched hands yet just under the crossbar, was Achterhof’s fourth of the season, which is tied for first on the team; her 11 total points leads the squad.
"This was a game we had to show character and we did just that,” explained ODU head coach Angie Hind. “We moved the ball well in the first half and scored a good goal. In the second half, we had to defend solidly for long spells and we did that well as a unit. I am incredibly proud of the group, they showed real togetherness. This gives us a good chance heading into Sunday's game.”
ODU’s defense would hold the Lady Toppers to five shots and no corners in the first 45 minutes of play, while attempting four first half shots of its own.
In the second half, Old Dominion fired off four shots and had one corner kick, as the Lady Monarchs defense would hold strong to stun Western Kentucky, while snapping the Lady Toppers’ two-match win-streak on Friday night. WKU also took four second half shots to go along with two corners.
Unofficially, at the completion of ODU’s match, Old Dominion is in a tie with UTEP for eighth place in the C-USA standings with 12 points. UTEP had a 9:00 p.m. EST start against Southern Miss on Friday night in El Paso. UTEP holds the tiebreaker on ODU. No matter what, a win on Sunday would guarantee the Lady Monarchs a spot in the Conference USA Tournament in Charlotte next week, as they would jump idle Marshall with 14 points. If UTEP loses Friday night, ODU could also get in with a draw at FIU on Sunday.
Old Dominion will take on FIU on Sunday for the 2016 regular season finale at 1:00 p.m. This match can be viewed live in HD through C-USA TV. To follow along via live Stats, please CLICK HERE. The Panthers are mathematically eliminated from C-USA Tournament hopes.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Be sure to keep up with all the latest news regarding ODU Women’s Soccer on Facebook; as well as follow @ODUWomensSoccer on Twitter!