Nov. 10, 2005
NORFOLK, VA--Top-seeded Old Dominion University, ranked 7th nationally, host No. 5 seed UNC-Wilmington Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in the second of two CAA semifinal contests taking place at the ODU Soccer Stadium. No. 2 seed Hofstra lines up against No. 3 James Madison in the early Friday match. Game time is 4:30 p.m. ODU heads into this game with a 14-2-2 (9-1-1) record this season, while UNCW sports a 10-7-3(5-4-3) mark. This marks the 15th consecutive season Old Dominion has made an appearance in the CAA Tournament.
The Monarchs are 12-4 all-time against the Seahawks, and defeated them 1-0 earlier this season. In that contest, junior forward Edson Elcock (Brooklyn, NY) tallied the lone goal in the 40th minute of play. UNC-Wilmington advanced to the CAA semifinals after blanking Virginia Commonwealth 2-0. Junior defender Russell Bienias scored goals in both halves to lead the way for UNCW. Senior midfielder Will Clark assisted on both of Bienias' goals. For the Seahawks, senior forward Sam Leger leads the offensive attack having scored 10 goals in 19 contests. UNCW is in the CAA semifinals for the first time in the 16-year history of the tournament.
ODU comes into this match ranked 7th in the nation by three collegiate national polls, and 8th by the NSCAA/adidas coaches poll. Led by senior forward Brian Cvilikas (Highlands Ranch, CO), Old Dominion accumulated a 9-1-1 record during conference play this year, only giving up four goals in the process. Cvilikas leads the conference in goals (14), points (28), points per game (1.65), goals per game (0.82), and shots taken (82). Freshman Trevor Banks (Madison, WI) has been a major contributor for the Monarchs this season, racking up six goals including three game-winners. Senior goalie John Connelly (Rockville, MD) paces the conference with an 0.55 goals against average that also ranks 7th nationally, and a league-leading 11 shutouts.
The CAA Championship match will take place on Sunday November 13th at 2:00 p.m right here at Old Dominion. Ticket prices for the tournament are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, military, and youth under 17th, and free for students from any participating CAA university.