BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Old Dominion women's soccer team kicked off the Conference USA Tournament with a 1-0 win over UTSA in overtime to advance to the semifinals.
Head coach Angie Hind said, "We knew UTSA would be aggressive, athletic, and try to put the ball quickly to their forwards and they really did that and came at us. We had to find a way to deal with that and be brave enough to play when we could."
ODU (11-4-1, 6-1-1 C-USA) scored the lone goal of the game. Riley Kennett would get a header on the end of a freekick taken by Cami Johnstone outside the 18-yard box in the third minute of overtime.
The Monarchs were led on the attack by Carla Morich with three shots and Johnstone with two. Kasey Perry played almost 93 minutes in the net for ODU recording two saves on five UTSA shots faced and earning her eighth clean sheet of the season.
UTSA (10-5-4, 3-2-3 C-USA) was led by Kendall Kloza with two shots. Jill Schneider played almost 93 minutes for the Roadrunners and recorded two saves on eight ODU shots faced.
"I thought the first half we were fairly even but later in the game we began to create some chances as I think they tired a little. In games like these and of this importance it's details and moments that win games and Riley anticipated great to get on the end of the cross and took her moment," said Hind.
Old Dominion will play East No. 3 seed Middle Tennessee in Friday's first semifinal at 4:30 pm ET. The game can be streamed through ESPN+.