On Friday evening, the ODU men’s soccer team faced off against the UMBC Retrievers. The game resulted in a physically demanding match, leading to a total of eight yellow cards being issued, and ultimately ending with both teams achieving the same result as last year, with a 1-1 draw.
During the first half of the game, the home team, the Monarchs, dominated play, with the Retrievers failing to take a single shot on the Monarchs’ goalkeeper. In contrast, the Monarchs managed ten shots and three corners, culminating in a goal by Grad Transfer Andrew Bennett in the 41st minute.
Following a hard foul at 25 yards out, Andrew Bennett, a native of Broxbourne, England, stepped up for a free kick. When the referee’s whistle blew, Bennett skillfully placed the ball past the Retrievers’ defensive wall and into the bottom right corner, giving the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.
At the 45-minute mark, the Monarchs seemed to have gained momentum due to the Bennett goal and their dominance in possession.
In the second half, the Retrievers gained momentum, firing off two quality shots in the 60th minute, both of which were saved by Michael Statham. Eight minutes later, UMBC equalized the score to 1-1 with a well-executed play.
Following the equalizer, both teams aggressively vied for the advantage to secure a win. The Monarchs had multiple opportunities, including free kicks from 25 yards out, resulting from fouls against forwards Key White and Tim Ennin. Regrettably, these chances were not converted, as headers from both services missed the target. Additionally, freshman forward Micah Wayland made impressive runs past the Retriever’s defense line but failed to convert his chances as his shots went high and wide.
In the final five minutes of the game, a total of five yellow cards were issued, three to the Monarchs and two to the Retrievers. Despite numerous bookings, neither team managed to gain an advantage, ending the game in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Currently holding a record of 2-2-1, ODU men’s soccer will continue their home fixtures with matches against William and Mary on Sept. 10, George Mason on Sept. 15, and Sun Belt opponent West Virginia on Sept. 21. The Match against the Tribe will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
