NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion Field Hockey team found a winning goal late in the fourth quarter against Villanova as the Monarchs bested the Wildcats 2-1 Friday evening at the LR Hill Sports Complex. The win brings Old Dominion to 9-4, 4-1 in BIG EAST Conference play.
“It’s a win, and any Big East win is important and especially late in the season. We found a way to get it done under pressure, which is a key quality in a team. We have done this in our last two games, and this will give us confidence down the stretch,” said ODU Head Coach Andrew Griffiths.
Anne Drabbe got Villanova out in front early in the first quarter, finding the back of the net 58 seconds into the match giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Tess Jedeloo helped bring the Monarchs level in the middle of the fourth quarter after a solo effort created the scoring chance which was slotted in by Jolene Ulichney. ODU took the lead, Sanci Molkenboer was on the receiving end of a well worked team goal with assists from Sian Emslie and Frederique Zandbergen to put Old Dominion ahead with less than four minutes remaining. ODU saw out the remaining minutes and captured a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats.
“In terms of the game itself, the first half we played uncharacteristically hesitant and not at our usual speed. But in the second half we found our rhythm and dominated. We created a ton of chances and corners, and just couldn’t get the final touch until closer to the end,” Griffiths added.
ODU’s offense generated 10 penalty corners, 15 shots and nine shots on goal. The Monarchs defense held Villanova to three shots, one penalty corner, and two shots on goal.
Suus Broers played the entire game in goal, securing the victory and recording one save. Villanova’s Maddi Sears played the entire game in goal, recording seven saves.
“Sanci diving for the game winner was a great way to seal the win!” said Griffiths.
ODU will next be in action on Sunday, October 20, when they take on North Carolina at Chapel Hill at 1 p.m.