Old Dominion women play Drexel to draw

NORFOLK, Va. -- Despite outshooting the Dragons 29-12 Friday night, the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs (5-5-2, 1-1-1) would have to settle for a 1-1 draw against Drexel University (2-7-1, 0-2-1). A pair of goals in the final ten minutes were all the scoring in the 110 minutes of play as each team earned a point in the CAA standings.

It wasn't until the 83rd minute of play that the scoreboard lit up, in favor of Old Dominion. Sophomore forward Victoria Johnson (Norfolk, Va.) worked her way between two defenders and had a look on net before being tripped from behind in the box. The foul was called and ODU looked to leading scorer Ashlee Coutu (Lebanon, Conn.) to take the penalty kick. Coutu scooted a low shot into the right side of the net for the goal.

It was her sixth of the season, leading ODU in goals and points now with 17.
 
However, the Dragons would answer just five minutes later. With just over two minutes remaining in the game, the Dragons caught a break as Old Dominion's rookie goalkeeper Bri Alvarado left the box to clear the ball off a long pass from Megan Mahon, but Drexel's Sydney Douglas was first to the ball. Douglas took advantage of the empty net and sent a long lofted shot from about 40 yards out into the back of the net.

ODU would take five shots in overtime, putting one on-frame. The team also had four corner kicks in extra time, but could not convert. In all, the Lady Monarchs had a season-high 15 corner kicks in the game, outnumbering the total of Drexel shots on the day.

ODU was led by Coutu, with five shots including two on-goal and fellow freshman Kelly Evans, who took four shots with three on-goal. One of Evans' best opportunities came in the 62nd minute of play when she had the goalkeeper beat and put a solid shot on frame, but a Drexel defender stepped in front to make the save.

The Lady Monarchs totaled 29 shots in the game against Drexel's 12, but Drexel goalkeeper Nicole Sinclair made nine saves and allowed just the one goal. Offensively, it was Douglas with the goal and Jenna Lindsay leading the way with three shots, two on-goal.

Old Dominion returns to the pitch this Sunday for another conference game at home, versus Delaware. The Fightin' Blue Hens defeated William & Mary in tonight's contest, 1-0.