Norfolk, Va. - Old Dominion Field Hockey won its first game of BIG EAST Conference play against Liberty today 3-2. ODU has its first win over a top 20 team this season.
“Very happy to open conference play with a win, and a win over a tough team. It wasn’t perfect but we deserved it, we showed toughness to find a way, and I love that.” said ODU Head Coach Andrew Griffiths.
The game between the two teams was scoreless until late in the third quarter. ODU converted a crucial penalty corner with one second remaining in the quarter. Serena Langendoen got ODU off the board with the first goal of the game.
What followed was a four goal fourth quarter that was back and forth until the end. Liberty’s Josefina Tomasi equalized two minutes into the fourth. The Monarchs responded two minutes later with a laser from Emily Tammaro that found the back of the net. Tuti Dell Anna responded for the Flames three minutes later to make the score 2-2 with five minutes remaining.
ODU went down one player in the match when Tess Jedeloo received a yellow card with four minutes remaining. However, the Monarchs still found a way to find the winning goal by converting another penalty corner. Serena Langendoen found her way after a entry pass and set up by Frederique Zandbergen and Rina Tsioles.
The Monarchs lead the game with eight penalty corners to the Flames’ four. Both teams finished the game with 11 shots apiece. Serena Langendoen led the game with six shots with four being on target.
“Being a young team, we are still working to find consistency, and our identity. This is getting better each game and we are going to keep getting better.” said Griffiths.
Suus Broers had six saves in the contest. Liberty’s Michaela Skinner had four saves.
ODU will play at Temple on September 27, at noon.