BLACKSBURG, Va. – Old Dominion ventured into a tough contest on Thursday night tangling with Atlantic Coast Conference member Virginia Tech and came out with a hard-fought 0-0 draw in front of 658 people at Thompson Field.
ODU (4-0-1) avenged a loss to Virginia Tech last season at home and remains one of 11 schools to not allow a goal in the 2023 season. The draw continues the best start to a season for the Monarchs since 2019 when they opened 6-0-1.
"Firstly, what an exciting game. It was two good teams going head-to-head and I thought we were magnificent tonight from front to back," said ODU Head Coach Angie Hind. "To come here and play against an ACC team with the talent they have and match them was so impressive."
The opening half saw each team control possession in blocks. ODU forced a couple opportunities making Virginia Tech goalie Alia Skinner convert three saves in the opening 45 minutes.
"We started really well and had a few early looks but just couldn't get another pass closer to goal to make their keeper have to work harder," Hind said. "They came into the game midway and we had to stay strong defensively which we did with great bravery all over the field. We made a few real chances late on, with the closest being when Rhea Kijowski smashed the post in the last 10 minutes.
Each team had 11 shots as junior Emily Bredek stopped everything, including many big opportunities in the second half as Tech kept the Monarchs pinned on the defensive end for several minutes.
ODU forced the action in the final 12 minutes with several shots just off, including Kijowski's blast that hit the post but spun away from the net.
"They are a very good side and I think we proved today we too have the potential to keep improving this season which really excites me," Hind added.
ODU returns home for a pair of contests starting on Sunday night at 6 p.m. when they face William & Mary. They will close non-conference play hosting High Point on September 10 at 4 p.m.
Defense Shines As Women's Soccer Plays Virginia Tech To 0-0 Draw
