MATCH #1
WHO: ODU (5-7-5 in 2023) at George Washington (4-9-4 in 2023)
WHEN: August 22 - 1 p.m.
WHERE: Washington, D.C. – GW Soccer Field
SERIES RECORD: ODU leads 4-1-1
LAST MEETING: Aug. 24, 2023 – ODU 2, George Washington 2 in Norfolk
STREAM: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: here
NORFOLK, Va. – The Tennant McVea era of Old Dominion men’s soccer officially begins on Thursday afternoon as the Monarchs head to Washington, D.C. to take on George Washington at 1 p.m. at the GW Soccer Field.
The game will have live stats and streamed on ESPN+.
Last year these teams opened the 2023 season in Norfolk in a contest that ended in a 2-2 draw. The Revolutionaries took a 2-0 lead on a goal with six seconds left in the opening half, but the Monarchs controlled action in the second half and responded with a pair of goals. Karan Mandair scored on a penalty kick less than four minutes into the second half and Michael Eberle evened the contest at 68:22 on a header off a feed from Nathan Lam.
ABOUT ODU
McVea takes over as head coach of the Monarchs from long-time coach Alan Dawson who retired at the end of the 2023 season. He had served on the staff for seven years, including being on the Conference USA winning staff in 2014.
ODU was picked eighth in the preseason Sun Belt poll by the league coaches. The Sun Belt had five teams make the NCAA Tournament last year, including a Final Four appearance by Marshall who was preseason picked to win the league.
The Monarchs return five of the top six goal scorers from last year with Mandair leading having scored five goals for 10 points. William Arnesen was next with three goals and two assists for eight points, followed by Eberle with three goals and one assist for seven points, Key White with two goals and Nicholas Alves with one goal and two assists for four points apiece.
Michael Statham returns in goal for the Monarchs after recording four clean sheets last year and a save percentage of .736.
ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON
George Washington has three of their top four goal scorers returning with William Turner leading after scoring four goals with three assists for 11 points. Ben Hissrich had three goals for six points, while Louis Saville had two goals and one assist for five points.
Duncan Wegner is the leading returning goalkeeper after sporting a 4-1 record with two shutouts and a save percentage of .739 last season.
NEXT UP
The Monarchs will head to Richmond for a Monday night matchup with the VCU Rams at 7 p.m.