NORFOLK, Va. – In the 2019 home regular season finale, the Old Dominion women’s soccer team (9-4-4, 3-4-2 C-USA) fell to UTEP (8-6-1, 4-4-0 C-USA) by a 2-0 score on Sunday afternoon at the ODU Soccer Complex. Sunday marked Senior Day for ODU’s Gaby Bentley, Erin Davidson, Kyra Ricks and Talia Tapper, who were honored prior to the match. The loss snapped ODU’s five match unbeaten streak.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the Monarchs took five of the six first half’s shots.
Jojo Ngongo gave the Miners a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute, which was assisted by Carlin Tessa.
In the 65th minute, Tessa Carlin made it a 2-0 lead off a Ngongo pass, giving UTEP a 2-0 advantage.
The Monarchs outshot the Miners 9-6 for the contest.
Old Dominion will wrap up regular season play on Friday, Nov. 1, when the Monarchs travel to Charlotte for a 7:00 p.m. match against the 49ers, which will stream live on C-USA TV.
Tribute to the Seniors
Angie Hind on the Senior Class:
“I want to thank all four of these amazing seniors. Talia, Gaby, Kyra and Erin are quite different in their personalities and yet collectively have brought so much to ODU Women’s Soccer. One thing they have always had in common is their desire to leave this program in a better place and with that, show everyone the work-rate and determination that comes with doing just that. I can speak for all our staff and support staff in saying that we have enjoyed every minute with these amazing young women and have had so many great moments with them. Their impact over these past four seasons had been felt not only under the lights on this game field, but even more so in their daily contribution to our team environment, college campus and in our community. I am immensely proud to have had the opportunity to coach this amazingly talented and ambitious group of young women and thank them for everything they have given to ODU Women’s Soccer.”
Gaby Bentley (Adelaide, Australia)
Throughout her collegiate career, Bentley has appeared in 37 matches, scoring three goals for the Monarchs. For her work in the classroom, Bentley has been a C-USA Honor Roll, Dean’s List and C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal honoree. She has served as SAAC rep and a Mental Health Awareness Chair Member. Bentley currently has a 3.3 GPA and will leave Old Dominion with a degree in History and minor in World Cultures.
Hind on Bentley:
“Gaby is one of the most unique student-athletes I have had the pleasure of working with. She is courageous, positive and such a spark within this program and a teammate that will be missed. As a player, she has given such a competitive impact to the team and environment here and her forever selflessness has always put the team’s best interest at the fore. Her ability to maximize this opportunity here at ODU to spread even further than the classroom and soccer team has seen her influence in so many other ways across campus and the community. This has been so inspiring for others to see. I am so grateful to Gaby for the positive influence she has had on this program and me on a daily basis and I thank her for everything she has brought to ODU.”
Erin Davidson (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
Throughout her collegiate career, Davidson has appeared in 10 matches for the Monarchs, compiling a 5-2-2 record with two shutout victories, while making 19 saves. Davidson is a Conference USA Honor Roll and Dean’s List recipient for the work she has done in the classroom. She has served as a Women’s Soccer SAAC representative. Davidson currently has a 3.3 GPA and will leave Old Dominion with a degree in Health Science and concentration in Public Health.
Hind on Davidson:
“Erin has worked tirelessly to give everything she can to the program. She is such a selfless individual and has always been mature in her influence on the team. Her work ethic has always been a shining example for those around her and as a goalkeeper she has helped create a culture within that position of pride, togetherness and support. Out-with soccer she has done so much for the community and probably worked with more youth players than any other player in my time here. She has made a positive impact not only in the lives of her teammates but also in future Monarchs. Always such an honest, hard-working and personable young women, I have truly enjoyed working with her and thank her for everything she has given to this program.”
Kyra Ricks (Portsmouth, Virginia)
Throughout her college career, Ricks has appeared in 68 matches for the Monarchs, scoring 11 goals to go along with seven assists for 29 total points. She is currently second on this year’s team for goals, assists and points. Earlier this season, Ricks was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. She is a C-USA Honor Roll and Dean’s List recipient for her work in the classroom. Ricks has served as a Women’s Soccer SAAC representative.
She has compiled a 3.2 GPA and will leave Old Dominion with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology.
Hind on Ricks:
“Kyra has grown so much as a person, soccer player and role model within her time here. Always quiet and understated, she has taken this opportunity to grow in so many ways and has truly made a lasting impression on her teammates and certainly me as her coach. A tremendous athlete and impactful forward, she has developed into a striker that teams fear and that has come from her hard work and determination. As a person, she has always been kind, respectful and eager to help those around her and for many young girls in the local community, she is a role model and inspiration. I have truly loved getting to work with and see Kyra develop over the last few years and want to thank her for everything she has given to the program and ODU.”
Talia Tapper (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Throughout her collegiate career, Tapper has appeared in 69 matches for the Monarchs, scoring five goals and dishing out five assists for 15 points. She is a two-time team captain.
Tapper has made the Dean’s List every semester except one and is a Conference USA Honor Roll recipient. She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an honor society for business majors. Tapper boasts a 3.46 GPA as a Business Management and Business Analytics double major.
Hind on Talia Tapper:
“Talia has made a consistent impact on this program from the very start and has simply grown better and better as she has developed every year. Her influence to this program has been as great as any player to come through ODU and it has my great pleasure to see this growth every day for the last four years. Respected across the team for her work ethic, determination and dedication to be the best she can be, she has inspired and challenged many of those around her and for me personally it has been fantastic to take one of the best local talents and see her step up and Captain her local University. As with so many in this class, she has given so much away from soccer and made such an impact across campus and also within the community. I am so grateful for the opportunity to coach Talia and thank her for everything that she has done for ODU Women’s Soccer.”