NORFOLK, VA – The No. 14 Old Dominion Field Hockey team extended their win streak to nine wins 1-0 with a 2-1 penalty shootout over No. 16 Liberty. The win today gives ODU a share of the BIG EAST regular season title and the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament due to ODU holding the tiebreaker over Liberty. The Big East Tournament takes place next week at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
In the first half the ball was spent most of the time being played back and forth in the midfield. ODU (14-2, 6-1) got a shot off with two seconds left in the first quarter. In the second quarter Liberty was able to get off three shots but couldn't find the back of the net. The teams went into the half tied 0-0. The Flames outshot the Monarchs 3-2.
In the third quarter it was much more of the same as Liberty got off two shots and ODU got off one. Going into the fourth quarter Liberty turned up the intensity and rattled off nine shots at Old Dominion goalkeeper Cam MacGillivray. MacGillivray proved why she is No. 1 in the nation in save percentage denying Liberty of any goals.
ODU would take Liberty to overtime and double overtime. The Monarchs played a majority of the overtimes up a player because of two Liberty yellow cards but could not convert their chances and it would go to a penalty shootout.
Liberty took the first penalty stroke as Reagan Underwood would be denied by MacGillivray.
Delphine Le Jeune followed for ODU and was also unsuccessful in her chance.
Liberty would convert their second chance when Pima Iturraspe slipped one past MacGillivray.
Frederique Zandbergen would answer with a conversion of her own to even the shootout at 1-1.
MacGillivray went on to deny the next three opportunities by the Flames.
Sacha de Gier would miss her attempt, but Marlon de Bruijne would finish her attempt which proved to be the game-winner.
MacGillivray denied Charlotte Vannhold to clinch the win for the Monarchs.
"I'm proud of our team and this was a win based on resilience. They have worked hard to take first place in the Big East regular season, and it all came down to some mental toughness at the end. The first half we played well and controlled the game, but didn't make the best decisions to get outcomes in the attacking circle. In the second half we didn't play simple enough and turned the ball over. We didn't defend as well, but Cam was phenomenal in goal, and our defensive corner unit also," said head coach Andrew Griffiths. "I think one of our biggest accomplishments today was that we didn't get a single penalty card. Liberty is a very good team, but they are extremely physical in their play, so a goal was to stay focused and strong, but not to react, and we did this well. Overall I'm very happy for our team that have been working hard for this step. Now that that 1st place seed is checked off, we will enjoy and then get ready for the next step at the tournament next week!"
Old Dominion be back in action when they will take on Temple, Friday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. in the BIG EAST tournament. Liberty takes on UConn at 4 p.m. in the second semifinal. Both games will be broadcast on the Big East Network.
No. 14 Old Dominion Field Hockey Defeated Liberty 1-0 To Become BIG EAST Regular Season Champions
