WASHINGTON D.C. - Old Dominion women’s soccer got on the board first and last in a 2-2 draw against #19 Georgetown in the nation’s capital on Thursday. Georgetown conceded only 10 goals all of last season and the ODU women's soccer team were able to slot two past them on their turf.
“What a game, I think for the neutral this would have been entertaining for sure as the game had everything,” said ODU Head Coach Angie Hind.
Captain Gry Boe Thrysøe played a huge part in the Monarchs’ (0-0-1) success today after a shot fired into the bottom left corner of the net to level the scoreline, 2-2 against the Hoyas in the 87th minute of action. Freshman forward Ashley Economopoulos found the native of Klarup, Denmark with superb hold up play in the middle of the pitch. The captain connected for the volley goal, sending the Monarch bench into a frenzy.
“Georgetown is a Top 25 program and I thought we went toe to toe with them for 90 minutes,” said Hind. “The intensity of the game never let up all night and I was so impressed by our ability to match that, defend in periods when we were under pressure, but also get at them in moments we had momentum.”
Newcomer Madison Telmer scored Old Dominion’s first goal of the season in the 34th minute. The Singapore native was found in the middle of the box by Thrysøe after she whipped in a cross from the right wing that fell right into the path of her fellow midfielder and she slotted the ball right past GU’s Cara Martin. Seven minutes later ODU conceded for the first time after Maja Lardner found the equalizing goal with a driven low shot to the right side of the net assisted by Jocelyn Lohmeyer. Neither team created a shot for the remainder of the half and the sides went into the break even at 1-1.
Georgetown applied pressure at the start of the second half and was able to get a penalty kick after a miscommunication between defender Grace Hillis and goalkeeper Erin Jones forced Hillis to give away a penalty in the 49th minute. Shay Montgomery stepped forward and found the back of the net to give the Hoyas their first lead of the night. Ashlynn Kulha registered a shot on target shortly after conceding but the attempt was saved by Martin.
The Monarchs finished with nine shots, six of them on target along with two corner kick opportunities. Thrysøe led the team with two shots in 84 minutes on the pitch. Seven ODU players contributed one shot a piece to make up. Katie McCormick denied the Hoyas with a goal-line clearance to save a goal in the 58th minute. Mia Serna played 39 minutes and if it wasn’t for the fingertips of Martin deflecting a high arching shot off the top of the bar in the 68th minute the Monarchs might have been able to head back to Norfolk with a victory.
Jones played all 90 minutes in net for the Monarchs and recorded two saves. Martin also played the full 90 minutes and recorded four saves.
“It’s our first game and to show the character we did tonight was so, so pleasing,” said Hind. “We scored two phenomenal goals against a very talented and athletic side. I’m so proud of the girls tonight.”
Old Dominion takes on the Tribe from William & Mary on Sunday, August 17 at 6 p.m. at the ODU Soccer Stadium for the Monarchs first home game of the regular season.