BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — For nearly half of the match, WKU soccer battled Old Dominion in a scoreless affair but the Monarchs found the back of net before halftime in what would prove to be the game-winner after two more ODU goals in the second half.
Sunday's match ended a lengthy homestand for the Lady Toppers (6-4-1, 2-2 C-USA) and the team will now hit the road for the first time since September 1. Next week's road trip for WKU won't be an easy one, with a Thursday night match at UTEP and then a Sunday afternoon matchup at FIU.
The ball spent a copious amount of time in the midfield on Sunday, especially early on in the match. Both teams exchanged possessions frequently, but Old Dominion (7-3-2, 1-3 C-USA) was the first team to see an opening and capitalize in the 40th minute. The Monarchs' Morgan Hall then added a pair of goals early in the second half.
"We came out really flat," said WKU head coach Jason Neidell. "We had trouble finding any energy that we needed to compete with a really good ODU team. Every team in this conference is good and if you don't come out with your A-game you put yourself in a position to struggle."
WKU had chances late with a couple of corner kicks that produced good looks at the goal, but one was saved by the goalkeeper and the other was kicked out by an ODU defender.
Ambere Barnett and Victoria Mayo each had three shots in the match, with two of Barnett's on goal. Chandler Backes added two shots and Kerragan Mulzer had one.
Anne-Marie Ulliac played all 90 minutes in goal for WKU and recorded fives saves in the match.
"We have to prepare for our next game," said Neidell. "We're headed out on a very tough road trip. We'll have to go to El Paso first and then Miami on a Sunday. We'll have some frequent flyer mileage. We have to get back to what made us successful earlier in the season."
Thursday's match against UTEP (7-2-3, 2-0-1 C-USA) is set for an 8 p.m. (CT) kick off. Sunday's match at FIU (2-9, 0-4 C-USA) is set for noon (CT).
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