Conshohocken, Pa. – The Old Dominion Field Hockey team extended its win streak to six games on Friday after defeating Villanova 6-5. Marlon de Bruijne led the way with two goals and two assists for the Monarchs.
The game started fast as ODU jumped on the board one minute into the game when Frederique Zandbergen sent a penalty corner into Rina Tisoles who set de Bruijne up for her first goal of the day. Villanova answered the Monarchs goal just three minutes later when Anne Drabbe scored to even the game. Both teams would play good defense the rest of the quarter and entered the second quarter tied 1-1.
The second quarter looked to belong to the Wildcats as they would score two minutes in and added another goal five minutes later taking a 3-1 advantage over ODU. Old Dominion responded with a goal courtesy of Sacha de Gier who was set up by de Bruijne and Tsioles. As time was running down in the quarter the Monarchs caused a Villanova turnover and executed a counterattack which led to de Bruijne finding Sanci Molkenboer with 30 seconds left to tie the game at three going into the half.
The third quarter was just as exciting as the second quarter as two minutes into the start of it Villanova reclaimed the lead. The Monarchs (8-5, 4-1) would answer as Emily Tammaro scored her first goal of the season after a penalty corner was shot around in the box and landed at Tammaro's feet who made it 4-4. Two minutes later Zandbergen sent another penalty corner into Tsioles who settled it for de Bruijne and was able to regain the lead for ODU. Old Dominion wasn't done there as the Monarchs were granted the teams 14th penalty corner with two seconds left and after a de Bruijne shot that was deflected Molkenboer controlled the rebound and put it in the back of the cage with no time on the clock giving ODU a 6-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Monarchs played well defensively in the fourth quarter and after Villanova pulled its keeper the Wildcats were able to get one goal back with three minutes left to play. ODU was able to hang on and take a 6-5 win on the road.
ODU outshot Villanova 29-17 and had held the advantage in corners 16-4.
"Well that was a crazy game! I don't think I have ever been involved in a 6-5 game as a coach. 11 goals, what a game for fan entertainment," said head coach Andrew Griffiths.
"The most important thing is that we played hard together and came away with a tough conference win on the road. And we showed a lot of grit and toughness to come back from a one goal deficit, and then a two-goal deficit at different times in the game. As a coach I love that resilience."
"We scored some nice goals and created loads of chances but I think we forgot everything we know about how to defend today, we were not good defensively! Villanova are dangerous on the counterattack and we did not manage those counters effectively," said Griffiths.
"So plenty still to work on, but I'm proud of our team and looking forward to Richmond on Sunday."
The Monarchs are back in action on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 12 p.m. when they play host to the Richmond Spiders at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
ODU Field Hockey Outlasts Villanova In Offensive Outburst On Friday
