News Summary
The Old Dominion University women’s soccer team marked their home season opener with a narrow 1-0 victory against William and Mary at the ODU Soccer Stadium. Freshman Ashley Economopoulos secured the win by scoring the only goal of the match in the second half, assisted by senior Yuliia Khrystiuk. The team displayed strong offensive and defensive performances, outshooting their opponents and showcasing resilience under pressure. This victory comes after a competitive tie with Georgetown, highlighting the team’s potential as they prepare for a challenging match against Maryland.
Norfolk, Virginia – The Old Dominion University (ODU) women’s soccer team opened their home season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over William and Mary at the ODU Soccer Stadium. Freshman Ashley Economopoulos was the standout player, scoring the only goal of the match in the second half.
Economopoulos, a freshman from Grantville, Pennsylvania, received an assist from senior Yuliia Khrystiuk to secure the win. The goal came after Economopoulos intercepted a pass and was able to convert it into a score, showcasing her skill and poise under pressure.
This match served as a significant moment for ODU after they played to a 2-2 tie against No. 19 Georgetown in their previous outing, demonstrating their competitive spirit against high-ranking opponents. Head coach Angie Hind expressed pride in the team’s performance, noting that both the tie against Georgetown and the victory over William and Mary marked important achievements for the program.
In the match against William and Mary, ODU displayed offensive dominance, outshooting their opponents 10-6. The Monarchs also had four corner kicks compared to the Tribe’s two. In addition to Economopoulos’s goal, the defensive line displayed a strong performance, particularly in the second half. Coach Hind highlighted their ability to withstand pressure from William and Mary, a rival team.
Junior goalkeeper Ellie Goodrich made her career debut in this match and was instrumental in securing the shutout. Goodrich, hailing from Alexandria, Virginia, made three crucial late saves that preserved ODU’s lead and led the team to victory.
Economopoulos’s background in soccer includes an impressive high school career, where she scored 35 goals and provided 21 assists at Lower Dauphin High School, earning the title of Pennsylvania’s Player of the Year. She previously played for the Penn Fusion club team, where her talent flourished before joining ODU.
After the match, Economopoulos reflected on her team’s performance, acknowledging that while the first half was challenging in terms of finishing opportunities, the squad found better rhythm in the second half which ultimately contributed to their win.
The competitive atmosphere of the match was palpable, with Khrystiuk emphasizing that playing against a rival team added to the challenge and excitement of the game. The close scoreline underscored the intensity of the encounter, making the eventual win even more rewarding for the Monarchs.
Looking ahead, ODU will face a challenging opponent in their next match. They will host Maryland, a strong competitor from the Big Ten, on August 23 at 6 p.m. The team aims to carry their momentum from the victory over William and Mary into this upcoming clash, which promises to be both competitive and crucial for the Monarchs’ season.
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Additional Resources
- ODU Women’s Soccer Hosts William and Mary
- William and Mary Women’s Soccer Rivalry Match
- ODU Men’s Soccer 2025 Schedule Announcement
- ODU Adds New Recruits to 2025 Class
- Wikipedia: Old Dominion Monarchs
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