RICHMOND, Va. - Behind a dominant effort from the back line, allowing just four total shots, and a goal from the team's leading scorer, Ashlee Coutu (Lebanon, Conn.), the Lady Monarchs downed the VCU Rams (6-8-2, 2-5-1) in CAA action today, 1-0. Old Dominion improved to 7-6-4, 3-2-3 this season, gaining three critical points in the CAA standings and handing VCU its sixth 1-0 loss this season.

The Lady Monarchs jumped ahead for good just under 15 minutes into the game when Coutu knocked in her ninth goal of the season. Sophomore Victoria Johnson (Norfolk, Va.) crossed the ball from the right side into a VCU defender, who was unable to clear it and sophomore Jocelyn Weidner (Harrisburg, Pa.) collected it on the goal line. She quickly turned and sent a low line drive into the box where Coutu was there to direct it into the back of the net from inside the six.

The ODU defensive back line, senior Brittney Kortz (Yorktown, Va.) and sophomores Lisa Bernardini (Langhorne, Pa.) and Rachael Carroll (Worthington, Ohio) held the VCU attack to just two shots in the first half. Amanda Adams put the only shot on goal for VCU in the game, a lofted shot from about 25 yards out, but rookie goalkeeper Bri Alvarado (Cincinnati, Ohio) was there for the easy stop.

In the second half, Old Dominion pieced together several scoring opportunities, including a breakaway for Kelsey Williams (Newport News, Va.) who's hard shot was saved by the diving Kate Hudson and just a few minutes later, Ashley Kukura (Virginia Beach, Va.) collected a rebound off a free kick in the 54th minute and sent a laser on frame, but VCU's Myriam Bouchard made a team save, heading the shot away.

With 29 minutes remaining, VCU looked to have evened the score off a corner kick, taken by Lauryn Hutchinson. The ball reached the head of Myriam Bouchard and was on frame where Alvarado made the save, but fell into the goal. As VCU celebrated, the official ruled that there was foul against the Rams before the goal was scored and it was pulled back.

That would prove to be VCU's lone chance in the second half as the ODU defense played one of their most dominant games this season, allowing just four total shots en route to the clean sheet. It was the sixth shutout of the season for Old Dominion and the fifth of Bri Alvarado's young career.

The Lady Monarchs outshot Virginia Commonwealth 16-4 in the game, including 7-1 on goal. Coutu and Kukura led the way offensively with a pair of shots on frame while Adams' shot in the first half was the only shot on net for VCU.

Coutu's goal ties her with Victoria Johnson for the second most goals for a true freshman in school history, with nine. Johnson scored nine last year, second to Jen Henley's 14 in 1998.

Today's game was the final regular season road contest of the year for ODU as they head home for the final three of the season. ODU will host Towson this Friday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. in their next tilt at the ODU Soccer Stadium. Towson's game against Drexel was postponed today.