Sept. 17, 2005
NORFOLK, VA--The Old Dominion University Soccer Monarchs embark on their first road match of the season, traveling south to take on the #2 North Carolina Tar Heels Sunday at Fetzer Field. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m and fans can follow the live gametracker at http://tarheelblue.collegesports.com/sports/m-soccer/sched/unc-m-soccer-sched.html. Both teams are unbeaten on the season, with Old Dominion sporting a 3-0-1 record and North Carolina earning a 4-0-1 mark. ODU is 3-4-1 lifetime against UNC, last defeating the Tar Heels 3-2 in a dramatic showdown September 21, 2004 at the ODU Soccer Stadium. Edson Elcock (Brooklyn, NY) scored the game-winner in the 90th minute of play to clinch the Monarch victory.
ODU is currently ranked 19th by College Soccer News, 22nd by NSCAA/adidas coaches poll, and 25th by Soccer America. The Monarchs have defeated N.C. State, Rhode Island, and Elon, and tied #12 Clemson. Freshman Trevor Banks (Madison, WI) has paced the Monarchs this season with 3 goals and is tied for the lead in the Colonial Athletic Association in that category. Banks is also tied for 4th in points scored and 5th in shots in the conference and was named CAA Co-Rookie of the Week for the week of September 6th. Old Dominion leads the CAA in shots taken and is the only squad in the conference to remain unbeaten. The Monarchs are coming off a 4-3 defeat of Elon on Wednesday that extended their home regular season unbeaten streak to 27 matches. Brian Cvilikas (Highland Ranch, CO) scored two goals in that match. Banks also scored a goal that was assisted by current CAA Co-Rookie of the Week Yomby William (Bafoussam, Cameroon). ODU head coach Alan Dawson was a former assistant at North Carolina before taking his current position at Old Dominion.
North Carolina is ranked #2 by the NSCAA/adidas coaches poll, 9th by College Soccer News, and 3rd by Soccer America. The Tar Heels began their season on a 4 match winning streak, defeating VCU, Richmond, Rutgers, and South Carolina. Last Wednesday, UNC faced N.C. State and came way with a 2-2 tie after a Wolfpack player scored a goal with five tenths of a second remaining in regulation. Carolina has allowed just two goals on the year, earning them an 0.38 goals against average. Freshman midfielder Scott Campbell leads the Heels with two goals and three assists, and junior Corey Ashe has notched a team-high three goals on the season.
The Monarchs return home Wednesday night to take on #4 Virginia at the ODU Soccer Stadium. Game time is 7:00 p.m.