NORFOLK, Va. – The William and Mary men's soccer team used a balanced offensive attack and a shutout by redshirt freshman David Phillips to cruise past rival Old Dominion on Saturday night Norfolk, Va. The match was part of the annual Optima Health Challenge between the two schools.
On the season, the Tribe improves to 1-1-0, while the Monarchs, who are receiving votes in the NSCAA soccer poll, drops to 1-1-0.
“I think we played very well tonight,” said head coach Chris Norris. “Everybody played with a lot of selflessness and we used a balanced attack to get the win. When it comes down to it, Old Dominion is the type of good team we have to beat to get back to where our program wants to be.”
The Green and Gold wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. In the fifth minute, junior Josh West lofted a ball into the box that found sophomore Jackson Eskay on the far post. Eskay was able to control the ball and beat ODU's goalkeeper Matthew Sanchez, putting the Tribe up 1-0.
William and Mary continued to pressure and doubled its lead in the 31st minute. Off a set piece from junior Chris Albiston, senior Chris Perez was able to volley the ball into the back of the net. The tally was Perez's first of the season and gave W&M a 2-0 advantage.
Old Dominion had chances throughout the first period, but Phillips came up with three stops in net for the Tribe. At the break, both squads had registered seven shots, but Old Dominion held a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The Tribe continued its offensive attack in the second half, scoring its third goal of the night in the 66th minute. Off of a Monarch set piece, W&M was able to start a counter attack with Eskay. The Damascus, Md. native found Albiston streaking down the sideline and getting behind the Monarchs' defense. Albistion, then in a one-versus-one situation with the goalie, was able to finish, putting William and Mary up 3-0.
W&M's final tally of the night came in the 74th minute. Sophomore Ryan Flesch sent a pass across the box to West, who was able to put an exclamation point on the Tribe's victory.
Phillips ended the night with five saves, while his back line helped him with two team saves. The shutout was the first career shutout for Phillips. The Monarchs out shot W&M 20-12, but only held a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal.
The Green and Gold returns home to Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field for the only time in the month on Tuesday, Sept. 10 against ACC foe N.C. State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
