Norfolk, VA – The No. 14 Old Dominion Field Hockey team extended their win streak to eight straight with a thrilling 2-1 win over VCU on senior day. ODU used two goals in the final five minutes of the fourth period to tie and win the game.
Old Dominion (13-2, 5-1) played a tough first half with the Rams. ODU outshot VCU 6-2 at the half but neither team could find the back of the net.
VCU came out of the half attacking as they got on the board just over a minute into the third period when Camila Rosenbrook assisted Lonica McKinney for the goal. The Monarchs didn't get a shot off in the third period and entered the fourth period down a goal. As the rain started to pour, ODU poured on five shots in the fourth period. The Monarchs tied the game when Frederique Zandbergen dished the ball to Marlon de Bruijne who fired a strike into the corner of the goal with just over five minutes left in the match. ODU kept the pressure on the Rams as Emily Tammaro crossed the ball into the front of the goal which found the stick of Sanci Molkenboer, she slapped it into the net which would prove to be the game winner with just over a minute left. VCU would try to put something together, but Old Dominion would hold strong and run the clock out.
"They are a very good team, and we didn't underestimate them. We weren't really clicking with our passing and not moving the ball quick enough and not making the most intelligent choices in the attacking circle in the first half," said head coach Andrew Griffiths. "Second half we were much better, and they are very dangerous on the counterattack which caused us some problems. We were fortunate enough to put two goals in at the end. We were working hard, and I felt like we needed something to bounce our way. It was a great finish by Marlon for the first goal and a creative one for the second. I wish we could take those opportunities earlier in the game, so it doesn't become a challenge late."
ODU is back in action at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex, Friday, Oct. 28 for their final regular season game against Liberty.