MONARCHS SOCCER SQUAD MAKES NCAA TOURNAMENT
The Old Dominion men's soccer team earned an at-large bid into the 2002 NCAA Soccer Championships and will host the University of Richmond of the Atlantic 10 conference this weekend.
The Monarchs head into the tournament with a 9-8-1 overall record with a 6-2-1 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) mark. Old Dominion has faced nine teams who are ranked this year, or were ranked at one point, including top-seeded Wake Forest. They won three of those meetings, gaining victories over CAA foes no. 19 VCU and no. 24 Hofstra, and a 3-2 overtime win at no. 12 American.
"It's just a lot of emotions. This shows how hard work pays off in the long run. We were so close (in 1999) and didn't make it in so we felt cheated. This feels like a whole new career," says Monarchs' senior co-captain Anders Haugom.
The Monarchs last made the NCAA playoffs back in 1991 but lost 2-0 to Rutgers. They also played at Wake Forest in 1989 tournament but fell 2-1.
"I am excited for the program. We have been on bubble the last couple years and I feel we are deserving of this. We played a very tough schedule this season and it has paid off," said Head Coach Alan Dawson.
The time and date of the contest has yet to determined. The winner will visit Wake Forest to face the Demon Deacons on Nov. 27. The CAA had a total of three teams make the field of 48. VCU is seeded eighth and received a first-round bye. They will host the winner of Furman (17-2-1) and Loyala (MD) (13-4-3) on Nov. 27. William and Mary (13-7-1) travels to Duke (11-7-1) this weekend to take on the Blue Devils.