FOLEY, ALA. - Old Dominion women’s soccer earned its third Sun Belt Championship in the past five years after the Monarchs defeated South Alabama, 2-0 on Saturday night in Foley, Alabama at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.
“To say I’m proud of this group is an understatement,” said ODU Head Coach Will Roberts. “We set out goals to win championships all the way back in the spring. This season we’re able to bring back two conference championships to ODU. I’d like to thank Wood [Selig] for trusting us with this program and trying to continue the success that Coach Hind had here. Big thank you to the team for accepting us as their coaches this season and believing in what we wanted to achieve as a group. We need to enjoy this moment and then turn our attention to the first round of the NCAA tournament, we’re not done yet.”
Five Monarchs were named to the Sun Belt All-Tournament Team and Riley Mullen earned Most Outstanding Player for the 2026 Championship.
The Monarchs have tied a program record of 12 clean sheets in a single-season, the Silver and Blue previously matched the mark in 2023 and 2008.
Riley Mullen scored the Sun Belt Championship Final’s opening goal in the 17th minute. ODU’s (12-6-2) high press pinned the Jaguars inside their own half to force an errant pass by one of South Alabama’s (9-8-3) midfielders to their goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith. The fourth year forward pounced on the loose ball and fired towards goal, her first shot was saved by Smith but the ball ricocheted back to Mullen who slotted the ball into the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead.
ODU outshot the Jaguars, 14-2, and 9-1 in shots on goal in the first half. ODU had a second goal chopped off after a VAR review deemed a Monarch to be offside on the scoring action. ODU’s Ally Richardson sent in a driven free kick to the middle of the box and Libby Holmes made first contact on the delivery. Her header fell at the feet of USA’s Smith as the keeper slid to claim the ball, she fumbled to the feet of Ashley Economopoulos who slotted the ball home. The head referee, Samantha Martinez, called a goal on the field but was convinced enough with the angles she was shown to take away the Monarchs’ would be second goal of the night.
The Monarchs created separation from the Jaguars in the 79th minute. Koto Davis, who earned a spot on the Sun Belt All-Tournament Team, stepped up to take Old Dominion’s ninth corner of the night, this time it was from the right wing on her left foot. She whipped her cross to the near post and fellow Sun Belt All-Tournament Team recipient Economopoulos latched her right foot onto the delivery and lofted her shot high, banging it off the bottom half of the post and past USA’s Smith to take a 2-0 lead.
Old Dominion held South Alabama to one more shot on goal in the final 45 and it came at the 88th minute mark. Sofia Ferrante felt that she had enough space to fire an attempt and launched a hail mary from way outside the box. She didn’t generate enough power to trouble Ellie Goodrich as the Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year stopped her attempt with her right leg.
The Silver and Blue outshot USA, 22-6 and 14-2 in attempts on net. Grace Hillis, Dylan McEntarfer, Libby Holmes, and Ashlynn Kulha all played a full 90 minutes on the pitch. Mullen and Economopoulos both led the Monarchs with five shots each, Mullen registered four shots on goal while Economopoulos had three attempts on target. Davis took four shots and had three go on target.
UP NEXT:
Old Dominion has earned the Sun Belt Conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The championship bracket will be revealed during a selection show on Monday, Nov. 16 and will be live streamed here NCAA.com
SUN BELT ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:
Riley Mullen* - M/F - Old Dominion
Koto Davis - M/F - Old Dominion
Ashley Economopulos - F - Old Dominion
Ellie Goodrich - GK - Old Dominion
Ashlynn Kulha - D - Old Dominion
Julie Dirom - M - South Alabama
Zamiyah Hill - F - South Alabama
Victoria Rocci - D - South Alabama
Ginny Lackey - F - James Madison
Selma Rajakangas - D - James Madison
Maddie Williams - D - App State
Olivia Simon - M - App State
* Sun Belt Most Outstanding Player
The Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Elite Award is given to the student-athlete reaching the pinnacle of competition while also achieving the highest cumulative GPA among participating players on the last day of the championship.
SUN BELT ELITE AWARD:
Dylan McEntarfer - D - Old Dominion