NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion men’s soccer finished with even honors against UCF, 1-1 at the ODU Soccer Complex on Saturday night.
“A point was probably a fair result tonight,” said ODU head coach Tennant McVea. “I felt we were the better team in the first half and had to weather a few tough periods in the second half. UCF are a good side and have been on a roll lately.”
ODU (5-4-4, 1-2-2 SBC) got the first chance at goal in the first half, in the 13th minute Lewis Rourke was able to get an opportunity at goal, but UCF’s (5-5-1, 2-2) Juanvi Munoz denied him with a save. Malick Thiaw scored the opening goal a minute later after Frederic Benedix crossed it from the left wing to Thiaw right in front of goal. Thiaw used his right foot and slotted it past ODU’s Michael Statham. Rourke would have another crack at the apple a minute later, but his shot attempt was blocked by UCF’s defenders. The Monarchs would respond to UCF’s opener in the same half when in the 24th minute Rourke would provide meaning to “third time's the charm” when his shot would get past Munoz. Jamie Wynne crossed it from the left post after beating a UCF defender and Rourke slotted the ball to the bottom left of the goal to equalize.
The Monarchs would have two corners in quick succession shortly after the goal as the momentum shifted. Abou Magib-So had a shot go off target as the result of the first and the second went long, and the Monarchs retained possession. Jake Lane forced Munoz into another save in the 38th minute after a well struck shot that was low wasn’t spilled. ODU would give a string of shots in the final seven minutes but none of the attempts were on target.
The second half would commence, and Mathias Krohnstad almost gave the Monarchs a 2-1 lead after an Evan Watt long throw-in, the ball fell to him just inside the box and his shot in the 46th minute went just over the bar for a goal kick. Micah Wayland had a break away chance and stopped with a defender on his side, but his shot was slightly deflected but not enough to change the trajectory of the ball and Munoz was there for the stop. UCF’s Clarence Awoudor tried to give the Knights the lead back but his shot in the 49th went wayward. Joey Mueller had another opportunity in the 53rd but the Monarch defense was strong and blocked his shot.
The deflection led to UCF’s first corner of the second half, but ODU marked the UCF defenders well and the ball went out of play for a goal kick. Statham would come up big for ODU after Mueller forced him to make a save from a shot inside the box, Thiaw would have a follow-up effort get denied by Monarch defenders and the ball fell to Younes Boundair who was also thwarted by Statham. The best chance in the second half for ODU to find a game-winning goal stemmed from a corner kick attempt in the 73rd minute. Evan Watt was unmarked in the middle of the box and made great contact with good placement to the bottom left. But Munoz made a great reaction save and sprawled out to make the save. Awoudor would have a chance to find the winner eight minutes later, but Statham wouldn’t let him past him for his third save of the night. UCF’s Muendo Kenn and Lillian Ricol would have the final two shots in the game in the 85th and 89th respectively but they both were off the mark as the contest ended, 1-1.
“I’m proud of the team tonight and now it’s time to prepare for a massive trip to Morgantown this weekend,” added McVea.
Both teams were knotted at 13 shots apiece, ODU had a two-shot edge in shots on goal (6-to-4) and had five corners to the Knights’ two. Teagan Dunne, Watt, Jett Aktan, Marcelo Randolf, Barrett Saul, and Magib-So all played 90 minutes.
Rourke led ODU with three shots and one goal followed by Wayland and Watt with two shots. Kolby Godbolt and Lane each had one shot and one shot on goal. Wynne picked up an assist on ODU’s goal.
Statham played 90 minutes and ended the night with three saves, Munoz also played 90 minutes and had to make five saves for the Knights to come out of Norfolk with a point.
UP NEXT:
The Monarchs head to Morgantown for a meeting with West Virginia on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.