NORFOLK, Va. — William & Mary men's soccer struck first against No. 15 Old Dominion, but a pair of penalty-kick goals lifted the Monarchs to a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night at ODU Soccer Complex.
Junior Thor Sigurjonsson gave the Tribe an early advantage, finding the back of the net just 5:06 into the contest for his first goal of the season. Senior Gabe Ruitenberg assisted on the tally for his team-leading fourth helper of the year.
Old Dominion's Alessandro Maldonado converted a penalty kick in the 37th minute to even the match before scoring his second penalty of the night in the 76th minute for the game winner.
The setback moved William & Mary to 3-4-1 on the season, while Old Dominion improved to 8-1.
Diego Garciarena made four saves in goal for the Tribe, all coming in the second half. ODU held a 17-4 advantage in shots and a 6-3 edge in shots on goal. The Monarchs finished with three corner kicks compared to two for W&M.
First Half
The Tribe wasted little time jumping in front of the nationally ranked Monarchs.
Ruitenberg connected with Sigurjonsson at the 5:06 mark, and the junior finished the opportunity to give W&M a 1-0 advantage. The goal was Sigurjonsson's first of the season, while Ruitenberg collected his team-leading fourth assist.
W&M continued to create opportunities following the early goal. Evan Rabush put an attempt on frame in the 25th minute that was stopped by ODU goalkeeper Alexander Aguilar.
The Monarchs pulled even at the 36:13 mark when Maldonado converted a penalty kick to make it 1-1.
W&M generated another opportunity in the 36th minute when Michael DiOrio sent an attempt high, but the teams went into halftime even at one. The Tribe recorded three shots in the opening 45 minutes compared to seven for ODU.
Second Half
Old Dominion increased the pressure after the break, but Garciarena and the Tribe defense kept the match level.
The senior goalkeeper made consecutive saves on Micah Wayland in the 68th and 69th minutes. Ruitenberg answered with W&M's lone shot of the second half in the 71st minute, putting an attempt on frame that was stopped by Aguilar.
Garciarena added another save on Miguel Menendez in the 72nd minute before ODU's Otu Bisong hit the post less than a minute later.
The Monarchs earned their second penalty kick of the night in the 76th minute, and Maldonado converted again at 75:34 to give ODU a 2-1 advantage.
Garciarena made his fourth save of the half in the 79th minute to keep W&M within one, but the Tribe was unable to find the equalizer over the final 10 minutes as Old Dominion held on for the victory.
Up Next
William & Mary returns home Saturday, Sept. 26, hosting Campbell in CAA action at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., with the match streamed live on FloCollege.
The Tribe will celebrate Senior Day and GKC Day as part of Saturday's match.
