MATCH #1
WHO: ODU (13-3-5 in 2023) vs. VCU (5-9-4 in 2023)
WHEN: August 15 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: Norfolk, Va. – ODU Soccer Stadium
SERIES RECORD: VCU leads 15-11-2
LAST MEETING: Aug. 24, 2023 – ODU 2, VCU 0 in Richmond
STREAM: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: here
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion Monarchs will kick off their 2024 women’s soccer schedule on Thursday evening as VCU visits the ODU Soccer Stadium for a 7 p.m. kick.
The game will have live stats and be streamed on ESPN+.
ODU begins its season after a second straight Sun Belt Conference title and third straight league crown. The Monarchs finished 13-3-5 in 2023 and were 5-2-3 in Sun Belt play. They advanced to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance following a 2-1 win in double overtime over JMU for the conference championship.
VCU heads to Norfolk following a 5-9-4 record in 2023 and a 4-4-2 mark in the A-10 conference. They qualified for their league tournament and fell to eventual champion Saint Louis in the quarterfinals.
ABOUT ODU
The Monarchs return two multi-goal scorers from 2023 in Ashlynn Kulha (4) and Rhea Kijowski (3). A plethora of Monarchs return after tallying two assists last season: Kulha, Andrea Balcazar Algarin, Riley Mullen, Gry Boe Thrysoe and Katie Lutz.
In goal, senior Emily Bredek returns after a stellar junior season that saw her earn Sun Belt Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors and set school marks in season shutouts (11) and save percentage (.836).
Bredek and Kulha were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team, while the Monarchs were picked to finish first by the league coaches. Click here for that release.
ABOUT VCU
VCU returns its top two goal scorers from 2023 in Milica Bulatovic and Kendyl Sarver with four apiece. Bulatovic and Kanna Matushisa are the top returners in assists with a pair each in 2023.
Allison Karpovich returns in goal for the Rams after a 2023 campaign that saw her record four shutouts and post a 1.07 goals against average.
NEXT UP
The Monarchs will be on the road for the next two matches starting Sunday at Liberty for a 1 p.m. start.