NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion men’s soccer secured its first Sun Belt victory, 2-1 against Coastal Carolina on Friday night at the ODU Soccer Complex. Otu Bisong scored two goals in his first career start as a Monarch to help fuel ODU to the three points.
We showed a lot of character tonight after a tough week. I’m proud of the lads,” said ODU head coach Tennant McVea. “We started well and to see Otu get on the score sheet twice was fantastic. We will enjoy the win and get back to work to prepare for South Carolina next week.”
Bisong opened the scoring in the ninth minute of action thanks to assists by ODU's (4-4-2, 1-2 SBC) Lewis Rourke and Alex Kryazhev. Rourke volleyed a pass into Kryazhev’s path, the graduate student laid it off to the Freshman from Herndon, Va. and he fired it into the left corner past CCU’s (1-6, 0-3 SBC) Alec Laible. Bisong secured a brace after scoring his second career goal five minutes after his first. Teagan Dunne lifted a cross from the left wing to the far post and found the leaping Bisong who headed it into the back of the net. The Chanticleers were able to regain their composure four minutes later and a well-timed set piece routine reduced their deficit to one goal. Jon Almudi rolled a free kick in low and found Loed Klaasen who slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner past ODU’s Michael Statham.
Bisong had a chance to secure a hat trick 30 seconds later but CCU’s Laible denied him, the save fell to Rourke and he was also denied right in front of goal. Later in the first half saw Barrett Saul have a shot blocked on its way towards goal and Evan Watt firing slightly off target from a free kick. The 2-1 score remained unchanged heading into halftime.
ODU’s first shot on target of the second half came in the 58th minute from Miguel Menendez who struck the ball well towards the bottom right corner, but Laible was able to reign in the shot. Coastal Carolina’s first attempt on goal was in the 71st minute and forced Statham to make the save. The senior from Stockport took in the ball cleanly and sent it away from lurking Chanticleers in the box who were hoping for a mishit to capitalize on. Jett Aktan had a headed shot go nearly off the mark from a long throw-in by Watt in the 74th. Kryazhev and Michael Eberle both had their shots saved in the 78th and 80th minute, respectively. Eberle’s attempt was the final shot by either side as the game finished 2-1 in favor of the Silver and Blue.
The Monarchs finished with 13 shots, eight shots on goal, and three corners. ODU’s defense held CCU to five shots, two on goal, and four corners. Bisong finished with two goals on three shots. Dunne, Kryazhev, and Rourke each picked up an assist in the winning effort. Watt, Aktan, Saul, and Marcelo Randolf each logged 90 minutes of action in the outfield.
Statham made one save and got the win in 90 minutes in net. CCU’s Laible was forced to make six saves and conceded two goals.
UP NEXT:
The Monarchs head to Columbia to meet against Sun Belt foe South Carolina on Friday, Oct. 10 at the Eugene E. Stone III Stadium at 7 p.m.