WEDNESDAY | 09.17.2014 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 57, Issue 4
Morphsuit America unmasked B5
Zach Chavis | MC
Men’s soccer wins with last minute goal 1-0 Michael High Staff Writer
The crowd of 756 fans at the ODU Soccer Complex was treated to a gem of a game on Sept. 12. In a game that was full of penalties, fouls, tackles and close calls, ODU midfielder Ryan Condotta scored in the 89th minute, to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead. The crowd was in frenzy and celebrating as the University of South Florida Bulls took the touch at midfield and pushed down the field in the 90th and final minute. ODU goal keeper, Alex Tiesenhausen, made a final save against the Bulls midfielder Lindo Mfeka, who was in on goal all alone, to preserve the win. When two quality teams face off as ODU and USF did, a tight contest can be expected. The teams did not disappoint, even though ODU carried the play for most of the game. The game was physical from the beginning with three
yellow cards being handed out in the first half. USF was guilty of two, ODU of one. The drama and scoring opportunities were missed by both teams. The first chance came early, when ODU junior forward, Josue Henriquez, had a golden opportunity when he collected a through ball that set him up for a breakaway. Henriquez chipped the ball over the USF’s goalkeeper, and his attempt went just wide. ODU continued to push forward, allowing USF to get behind their defense for several breakaways, but Tiesenhausen made the necessary saves. USF was unable to put their shots on target as they only had three shots on goal, which allowed ODU to stay in the game. The drama began to build about midway through the second half, which really got the crowd into the game. With just over a minute and a half to go in regulation, ODU pushed forward, an attempted cross was deflected but this time the ball fell right at the right foot of
The Mace & Crown
junior midfielder, Ryan Condotta. Condotta calmly gathered the ball and slipped it just inside the post to beat USF junior goalkeeper, Spasoje Stefanovic, giving ODU the 1-0 lead. “I thought to myself, get in the box and maybe a lucky bounce will happen, and sure enough it fell to me, I took a chest down and slide it home,” Condotta said. As the crowd erupted in cheers, USF took the touch from midfield and went forward with pace. They were able to get past the ODU defense and had a one-on-one with the keeper, and Tiesenhausen made his finest save of the night to preserve the victory. ODU has gotten off to a slow start with losses in two of its first three matches. They lost to two top 25 teams in the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina by identical scores of 1-0, before defeating Northeastern by the same score for their first win. Friday night was another tough test as USF is
@maceandcrown
just outside the top 25. “We played UVA and UNC to start the season, and that had a lot to do with it, but the guys are starting to get used to each other, and finding their identity,” Coach Alan Dawson said. “This is ODU’s second win in a row, and the team hopes to build on it. “We have gained a little momentum and we hope to continue,” he said. With three games left before the Monarchs start Conference USA play, this tough early-season schedule should help prepare the team. “I think it’s going to set us up very well. We want to be playing our best soccer going into conference tournament. The team needs to continue to get better every day in practice, and get better in games we will be ready for conference play,” Dawson said See photos on C1
“Get your life with Tamer Braxton” SEE B1
@maceandcrown