NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion lacrosse defeated Rider 10-8 in a mid-day showdown on Saturday. Goalkeeper Brynn Bowen tallied a career-best 15 saves in the win.
“Proud of how we started and finished our game today,” said head coach Theresa Walton. “Brynn played absolutely phenomenal and really showed composure through our clear game too.”
The Monarchs (3-2) were quick to the board with a goal from Maria Snyder off an assist from Jules Mills at the 13 minute mark. Bowen would deny Rider’s (1-5) Kayleigh Colleary shot for her first save of the day following the ODU goal. Lydia Laney then found Snyder for her second goal of the game with just over 12 minutes to go. Colleary once again was denied by Bowen, and on the opposite side of the pitch Rider’s goalkeeper Jamie Kubach would deny a shot from Alex Kulinski. At 8:11 Macy Steinwedel netted her first collegiate goal which was assisted by Laney to put ODU up 3-0. Rider’s Marybeth Smith would shoot back-to-back shots which Bowen would save for her third and fourth of the day. Colleary would then test the Monarch defense with a shot, and Madi Mooney would make it past Bowen for her first and Riders first of the day to end the first quarter.
On a free position shot, Calandra-Ryan would score her first of the day with 12 minutes to go. The ball would then go back and forth on the field where Kubach would save a shot from Calandra-Ryan and Peyton Marohl. And Bowen would decline Colleary and Mooney’s shots. Rider’s Maggie Hance would score her first of the day at 2:25 to make the score 4-2. ODU’s Julia Butler responded with a goal of her own connecting with Molly Heimerl with 46 seconds on the clock. Mooney answered with a goal to end the half 5-3 in favor of the Monarchs.
Back from the break, Heimerl scored her own off an assist from Laney at 13:31. A green card on ODU’s Snyder would give the Broncs the man-up advantage, and would profit with a goal from Smith at 12:51. Less than a minute later Annalynn Pompetti found the back of the net at the 12 minute mark. Kulinski fouled Marissa Ross with 10 minutes on the clock prompting a free position shot, where she would net it to increase the score to 7-5. Bowen saved three shots from the Broncs, then Kayla Vasquez fouled Julia Butler prompting the free position shot which Kubach was able to save.
The fourth quarter proved to be the highest scoring for both teams beginning with a goal at 12:45 from Rider’s Hannah Kozik. Heimerl answered a minute later with her second goal of the game, followed by a goal from Kozik for her second of the day, increasing the score to 6-4. A shot from Kozik was stopped by Bowen, marking her 15th save and a career high. Rider’s Grace Francesconi fouled Calandra-Ryan, sending her to the arc for a free position shot which would quickly make it into the back of the net with seven minutes left. A green card on Laney would allow Rider the advantage and Kozik netted her third goal of the day at 4:15. Following the final timeout, Pompetti buried it with 41 seconds left to end the game 10-8.
“Great to be able to leave February with a win. Looking forward to getting back to work with this squad on Monday to prep for starting March on a strong note” said Walton.
The Monarchs complete their homestand against Furman on March 6 at 7 p.m. at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.