THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 6, 1994 TAG: 9410060024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Old Dominion's Michael Rodriguez won the battle of the freshman goalies and notched a shutout in his first collegiate start, leading the host Monarchs to a 1-0 conference win over Richmond Wednesday.
Rodriguez, in net because regular starter Nathan Olansen suffered cracked ribs in Old Dominion's game against the University of Washington last weekend, faced 11 shots and made seven saves.
``I was nervous going in, but my defense just said to play my game and they'd take care of the rest,'' Rodriguez said. ``I was just looking to step up, do my job, and play soundly.''
The Spiders (6-5, 2-2) wasted no time testing Rodriguez. Three minutes into the game, Richmond forward Asgeir Asgeirsson broke away from a defender and rushed in alone, blasting a shot that Rodriguez rushed out to smother.
The Monarchs had only four shots in the first half, with the best scoring chance coming with five minutes left. Milo Iniguez shook free from a defender and rushed down the left sideline, taking a shot toward the right corner that Richmond freshman goalie Alex Collins tipped wide.
With 1:50 left, Rodriguez jumped up to snag a floating corner kick with several Richmond players camped in front of the goal to keep the game scoreless at halftime.
Old Dominion (5-3-1, 2-0) regrouped offensively during the break and scored the only goal of the game early in the second half. Raul Ovalle took the ball about 30 yards out and dribbled into the goal to set up a shot.
Ovalle caught Rob Caputo breaking in past his defender and sent a cross into the middle. Caputo stepped in and won the ball, then turned and took a shot that beat Collins into the right corner.
Although the Monarchs accomplished the most important task - winning the game - coach Ralph Perez still has a few concerns.
``I'd like us to be able to play more consistently in both halves,'' he said. ``I feel a little fortunate that we won tonight, because we didn't play as well as we're capable of. The thing that's so hard about this conference is that every team is capable of making life difficult. There are no cakewalks.''
Old Dominion takes on George Mason at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in a Colonial Athletic Conference game.
WILLIAM AND MARY WINS: Three players from Virginia Beach scored goals as fifth-ranked William and Mary won its 11th consecutive match, 5-1, at East Carolina. First Colonial graduate Wade Barrett, Dan Zickefoose of Kempsville and Brian Reshefski of Norfolk Academy each had a goal. The streak is an Indians record, breaking the mark of 10 set in 1986. ILLUSTRATION: L. TODD SPENCER/Staff
Michael Rodriguez, top left, rose to the occasion, stopping seven
shots for Old Dominion.
by CNB