MATCH #2
WHO: ODU (1-0-0) at VCU (1-0-0)
WHEN: August 26 - 7 p.m.
WHERE: Richmond, Va. – Sports Backers Stadium
SERIES RECORD: ODU leads 28-11-6
LAST MEETING: Sept. 19, 2023 – ODU 1, VCU 1 – in Norfolk
STREAM: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: here
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion men’s soccer team continues a three-match season opening road swing as they head up Interstate 64 to face VCU on Monday night at 7 p.m. inside Sports Backers Stadium.
The game will have live stats and be streamed on ESPN+.
Last year these teams met in Norfolk where a William Arnesen goal with just under nine minutes left enabled the Monarchs to tie the match at 1-1. This series, which dates back to when both teams were in the Colonial Athletic Association, has the Monarchs ahead 28-11-6.
ODU returns to action after a 4-2 win at George Washington on Thursday afternoon. Timothy Ennin had two goals and one assist, while Key White had one goal and two assists and Noah Madrigal added the other goal. Ennin scored the opening goal in each half, with his second tally coming 20 seconds into the second half. Michael Statham made seven saves in the match with five coming in the final half.
VCU went on the road to 15th-ranked Wake Forest and came out with a 2-1 win on Thursday night. Gerardo Castillo had the game-winner in the 83rd minute after Wake Forest scored in the 21st and VCU had the equalizer from Andrey Salmeron in the 26th minute.
ABOUT ODU
The four goals in the win at George Washington were the most in a season opener since 2011 in a 6-0 win over Houston Baptist in a tournament at West Virginia.
Tennant 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 VCU
Salmeron, Castillo and Moussa Ndiaye were preseason All-Atlantic 10 selections as selected by the league coaches. VCU was picked first in the preseason poll.
VCU returns 2023 All-Atlantic 10 selections Ndiaye, Castillo as well as A-10 Rookie of the Year Salmeron. Leonel Vergara joined Salmeron on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team.
NEXT UP
The Monarchs will head to Buies Creek, N.C. for a Thursday night matchup with Campbell at 7 p.m.