NORFOLK, Va. – Rhea Kijowski found the back of the net for the fifth time this season scoring in the 14th minute of play and ODU made that stand as the Monarchs defeated Georgia Southern 1-0 in Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer action on Thursday afternoon.
“First of all the win is the most important thing. I think to get the W today in a midday game, under some challenges was great for us. We are delighted with that. I thought it was a little bit scrappy, it wasn’t the most soccer filled match, but it is important to win these ones as well. We are delighted with the grit, determination, win and another clean sheet,” said ODU Head Coach Angie Hind.
ODU (8-4-1, 3-1-1) got on the attack early as the Monarchs sent the first five shots of the game toward the net.
After forcing a turnover deep in the Georgia Southern end, the ball ended up on the feet of Andrea Balcazar Algarin who fed it ahead to Kijowski who had a breakaway chance. She paused at the top of the six-yard box and was able to touch it past Quinn Wilson for the 1-0 lead at 13:16.
In the final 45 minutes, Georgia Southern (5-8-1, 2-3-0) had a few spells of attacking on their end but between a solid backline effort and Emily Bredek with two of her three saves on the game in the second half, the Monarchs maintained their seventh clean sheet of the season.
In the game, ODU held an 11-5 advantage in shots, 5-3 in shots on goal, and after giving up three corner kick chances to Georgia Southern in the opening half wound up with a 5-4 advantage on the day.
ODU now finishes off the Georgia portion of its slate taking on Georgia State in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.