HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A pair of first half goals help propel the Monarchs to a 2-1 victory over the second seed (RV) South Carolina. With the win Old Dominion advances to semifinals of the 2016 Conference USA Men’s Soccer Tournament on Friday, Nov. 11.
The Monarchs (6-8-2, 2-5-1) played an aggressive first half against the Gamecocks and went into the half up 2-0. Kaio DaSilva put Old Dominion on the board first in the 18th minute on a double assisted goal by Jimmy Filerman and Sebastien Hauret. Niko Klosterhalfen scored the second goal for ODU off the rebounded Filerman shot.
South Carolina (10-7-1, 5-2-1) came out of the half playing a strong press in the attacking half of the field. Bjorn Gudjonsson put the ball in the back of the net in the 89th minute off of a Kevin Walker assist that ensured the Gamecocks were not shutout.
Old Dominion’s goalkeeper Alex Tiesenhausen played a great game keeping the Gamecocks out of the net for 89 minutes of action. The Monarch back line played a fantastic game as well blocking several shots by the South Carolina offense.
Old Dominion led the stat lines in the first half in shots 10-8, while South Carolina led the second with 14 shots to ODU’s 3. The Monarchs led in corners 5-4 and saves 5-4. DaSilva scored his second goal of the season while Klosterhalfen picked up his fourth. Filerman recorded two assists on the night giving him five on the season.
The Monarchs advance to the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 11. They will play the winner of the FIU vs. UAB match with game time to be determined.