#19 Old Dominion (7-5, 3-1 BIG EAST) vs. Temple (5-6, 1-3 BIG EAST)
Game Info – Friday, October 18 at 5:00 p.m.
Location – L.R. Hill Sports Complex (Norfolk, Va.)
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NORFOLK, Va. - The No. 19 Old Dominion field hockey team welcomes BIG EAST foe Temple to the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Friday, October 18 at 5:00 p.m.
This past weekend, the Monarchs went 1-1 against two ranked opponents on the road. On Friday, the Monarchs came out with a 3-2 victory over then-No. 15 Liberty in Lynchburg, Virginia. Senior Tori Harwood led the way for ODU, scoring two goals in the conference matchup, including the game-winner in the 50th minute.
The team then traveled south to North Carolina to take on No. 4 Duke. The Monarch defense played well, holding the Blue Devils to just one goal and two penalty corners, but Duke prevailed in a 1-0 decision.
Freshman back Nicole Fredricks earned her third BIG EAST Freshman of the Week award for her efforts this past week on a defensive unit that held two ranked opponents to just three total goals.
Senior Rebecca Birch added to her team-leading goal total in the win against Liberty, netting her seventh of the season, a mark that puts her tied for fifth in the conference. She also leads the team in points, with 17. Both Riley Taylor and Marlee McClendon lead the team in assists, as they each have six on the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Cam MacGillivray has collected 52 saves this season, including 13 in the past two games, and has posted three shutouts.
This week, ODU moved up three spots in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll, moving from No. 22 to No. 19. The team sits in the top-15 in the weekly NCAA’s RPI Rankings as well, coming in at 14th this week.
About Temple
Temple won its first conference game of the season on Friday, defeating Georgetown on the road in overtime, 2-1. Junior Dani Batze scored the golden goal in the 68th minute to secure the victory. On Sunday, the Owls played another overtime game, this time taking a 1-0 loss against Lafayette.
The Owls defense has five defensive saves this season, a mark that is tied for the lead in the BIG EAST and ranks tied for 10th in the nation overall. Of those five defensive saves, Batze has collected four of them, ranking her fourth in the country and first in the BIG EAST. Batze also leads the team with four goals and eight points. Junior goalkeeper Cristina Carotenuto has 38 saves on the year with a goals against average of 1.74.
Series History
Historically, the Monarchs hold a 22-4-1 record against Temple, a team they’ve played since 1981. Last season, ODU went up to Philadelphia and took down the Owls, 9-1. Seven different players scored for the Monarchs, including a two-goal effort from Rebecca Birch. The defense held the Owls to zero shots and three penalty corners, as the lone Temple goal came on a penalty stroke chance.
ODAF DAY
Friday night’s match will also be an ‘ODAF Day’ for the field hockey program.
ODAF Days at ODU home athletic events allow the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF) to increase exposure to the Monarch Fans, grow ODAF membership and further raise enhancement funds. It is important that ODAF continues to educate fans on its mission of supporting ODU student-athletes both in the classroom and in athletic competition. The ODAF Staff will be on site to take donations for the program.
Mission:
The ODAF is integral to the success of Old Dominion University Athletics, and is the channel through which the fans and alumni can partner with the coaches and student-athletes for the advancement of the athletics program.
The mission of the ODAF is to raise financial support for Old Dominion University Athletics and to ensure that the school's coaches and student-athletes have the resources necessary to compete for championships.
Members of the ODAF also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing their gifts are investments in the lives of the student-athletes, providing the academic foundation and character building traits learned through a collegiate athletic experience. Because of the fans, ODU creates winners in the classroom, in athletic competition and in life.