NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion women’s soccer team (8-6-4, 5-3-2 C-USA) took down North Texas (13-2-2, 8-1-1 C-USA) by a 4-0 score on Sunday afternoon at the ODU Soccer Complex. Sunday marked senior day for six ODU student-athletes: Deirdre Bradley, Natalie Johnson, Kira Laurento, Madison Morningstar, Iris Achterhof and Cristina Bashara. Old Dominion University President, John R. Broderick, joined the team on the field before the match for the Senior Ceremony.
The No. 1 seeded Mean Green had only surrendered five goals all season, before allowing four on Sunday against the Monarchs. With the win, ODU extended its unbeaten streak to seven matches.
Old Dominion finished in a tie for fourth in the C-USA standings after the regular season and will take on LA Tech in the 2018 Conference USA Quarterfinals on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 7:00 p.m. at the ODU Soccer Complex. All C-USA Tournament matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Senior Cristina Bashara scored her first career goal in the 15th minute off a pass from senior Madison Morningstar to give ODU an early 1-0 lead.
Riley Kennett made it 2-0 for Old Dominion in the 33rd minute after heading home an Iris Achterhof corner kick.
Amanda Nhek gave the Monarchs a 3-0 advantage heading into halftime after scoring in the 42nd minute. Senior Natalie Johnson and Kyra Ricks were credited with the assist.
Senior Kira Laurento sealed the deal on ODU’s 4-0 victory over NT with a goal in the 78th minute off pass from Morgan Hall.
ODU freshman goalkeeper, Jasmine Crawley, made two saves in the win.
Angie Hind Talks About the Seniors
With Sunday marking Senior Day for six Old Dominion student-athletes, ODU Sports caught up with head coach Angie Hind, as she talked about each senior.
Angie Hind on Deirdre Bradley
“Dee Bradley has all the attributes that a Coach loves in a player. She has great determination, desire, talent and is also extremely committed to being the best she can be and also in making those around her better. She has given so much to the program and been instrumental in the success we have had here during her time. As a person, she is just all round fantastic and as a coaching staff, we have been privileged to not only coach her, but share her journey over these five years. She is so respected by all and beyond the field has given much to the youths in the community and also as a student here representing herself and ODU women’s soccer tremendously.”
Angie Hind on Natalie Johnson
“As a coach, or spectator you can’t help but be excited when you watch Nats on the field. She is a tremendous athlete, but also a very talented soccer player who has made a huge impact on this program in two key roles, both as a defender, but also now in her role as striker. Her ability in the air is second to none in this conference and she plays with such heart and determination. As a person, she is just so kind and a huge favorite within the team as she is a tremendous friend and teammate. As a coaching staff, we have been so honored to work with her and she will certainly leave a big space to fill both in her ability as a soccer player but also as a person. We thank her for everything she has given to this program.”
Angie Hind on Kira Laurento
“Kira is an exceptional talent and very unique in her ability to beat opponents. She has consistently brought a level of play to our team over the past four years that has played a key part in our improvement as a program. As a teammate and leader, she has excelled this year especially and led with such maturity and played a key role in helping get us to where we are now. Kira is a joy to coach and has consistently been a role model in her athleticism. Always respectful and just someone we as coaches enjoy being around, she has impacted all of our lives in such a positive way over the last four years. We thank her for everything she has brought to the program, but also the lasting impact she has made on others on the team in showing them how to make the most of the opportunity, that being part of this program provides. Quite simply, Kira has been inspiring to us all.”
Angie Hind on Madison Morningstar
“Maddie’s personality and positivity is simply infectious. She is an absolute joy to be around and brings so much to the team environment with her personality and humor. As an athlete, she is probably one of the most athletic players we have had within this team and she has used that to great effect to play a consistent and important role in our back line. Maddie has taken every opportunity to grow within this team and her performances have helped us achieve so much over the last four years. It is not often that a person can make such a positive impact on the environment and we as coaches have loved every minute of coaching her and being able to experience all that she has brought to ODU women’s soccer.”
Angie Hind on Iris Achterhof
“The impact that Iris has made on this program since her freshman year has been simply outstanding. As a forward she is well known by every opponent that we play due to her quality as a soccer player and ability to score some incredible goals, many of them key ones. That is one of the highest compliments you can get as a player. She has grown so much in her time here as a person and teammate and we as a staff feel privileged to have been able to witness this. Iris has consistently brought excellence to the field and strived to be the best player she could while influencing others with her desire to practice and excel not only in soccer, but also as an outstanding student. We thank her for everything she has brought to this program – undoubtedly she has played a huge part in getting ODU women’s soccer to the level we now represent."
Angie Hind on Cristina Bashara
“Cristina Bashara has contributed an incredible amount to this program over these past four years. She has dedicated so much to making herself the best she can be as a soccer player, as well as an athlete. Cristina’s impact and influence stretches far beyond the field, as she is such a great teammate, role model, and friend. Cristina epitomizes everything great about the student-athlete as she is committed to influencing every environment in a positive way, whether it be the on the field, the classroom, the locker room or in the community. She has represented this program in such a fantastic way in her four years here and left a legacy for her teammates on how to make the most of your student-athlete experience. As a coaching staff, we have truly loved coaching her and also seeing all that she has brought to this program and we thank her for everything she has done to make this program great on the field but also in creating the right environment.”