NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion field hockey team won its fourth consecutive game to open the 2018 season on Friday, shutting out No. 17 James Madison, 3-0, at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
Ilse Westera, Kristen Vick and Tori Harwood all scored goals for Old Dominion (4-0), who is now 4-0 for the first time since 2011.
"I'm thrilled with the way we are playing together," said head coach Andrew Griffiths. "We played with toughness and we played with confidence."
Despite dominating possession and attacking the James Madison (1-3) goal for majority of the first half, it was a defensive play that sparked ODU's momentum.
The Dukes were issued a penalty stroke in the 24th minute, but ODU goalkeeper Lacey Frazier came up with a huge stop to keep the game scoreless. Just moments later, Westera scored ODU's first goal, knocking home a rebound in front of goal. The goal was Westera's third in the last two games.
ODU carried the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Vick then got the Monarchs off to a fast start in the second half, firing in a long shot from the top of the arc just 36 seconds into the half for her first career goal.
Three minutes later, Harwood was in the right spot at the right time to tap in a rebound for the game's final goal in the 39th minute.
"We're really connecting right now," said Vick. "I love playing with these girls right now. It's awesome."
Overall, ODU outshot James Madison, 19-6, including an 11-2 margin in the second half.
Frazier earned the shutout in goal, playing the full 70 minutes and making three aves.
"Today's performance was a good one in front of a good crowd," said Griffiths.
Next up, ODU returns to the road with away games at Richmond and Virginia next weekend.
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