NORFOLK, Va. - On Saturday Old Dominion University women's soccer continued its strong spring campaign with a 1-0 win William & Mary at the ODU soccer stadium.
The day was about much more than soccer for ODU.
The Monarchs showed their support for Yuliia Khrystiuk, a sophomore forward from Vinnytsia, Ukraine by wearing 'STAND WITH UKRAINE' t-shirts for the match.
"As a team we are trying to find ways to support her and the team really wanted to do something to show this both to her but also within the community, and to share with Yuliia's family and friends at home," ODU head coach Angie Hind said.
In a fantastic show of solidarity William & Mary also wore the same T-shirts to lend their support to this initiative.
"This was such a nice gesture by William and Mary, and I know our players, especially Yuliia felt really moved by the support and well wishes from Tribe head coach Julie Shackford and the players of William and Mary. Moments like this I think we can all feel the power that sport can have in bringing people together to support each other. We can't thank them enough for just how eager they were to contribute to the sentiment of the day" Hind said.
As part of the day SAAC and ODU students also collected donated medical supplies that will be delivered to Ukraine.
Both teams had opportunities and ODU keeper Erin Jones made a few early saves to keep the game scoreless. The Monarchs grew into the game and had their best spells in the second half when they were able to have more possession and begin to create more chances. The winning goal came just minutes from the end of the game when Megan Watts collected the ball at the edge of the box and beat her opponent to rattle home the winner from a tight angle.
ODU will play their final game of the spring atNC State on Saturday, April 16 as they take on the Wolfpack at 1 p.m.