Rice University Athletics
Rice University
-1121, 800 CUSA
Old Dominion
-735, 413 CUSA
No. 23 Owls Top Old Dominion 7-2
10/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NORFOLK, Va. - Junior Annie Walker scored a pair of goals and had two assists to pace the No. 23 ranked Rice soccer team to its fourth-biggest single-game goal total in school history, and the most for the program in a match since 2006, as the Owls defeated Conference USA foe Old Dominion 7-2 Thursday in Norfolk, Va.
Rice improved to 11-2-1 on the season and stayed unbeaten and untied in C-USA play with an 8-0-0 league record. The perfect 8-0-0 ledger is the program's best conference start in school history. Overall the Owls notched their ninth-straight win in 2017, but the team has in fact now won 15-straight C-USA regular season matches dating back to last year.
"I thought we were really very good tonight in the attacking third of the field," said Rice head coach Nicky Adams. "Once we settled-in after the first couple of minutes of both halves, our runs created chances and we executed on those chances. We were very efficient with our passing tonight, and that was good to see because we have been working hard on that part of the game.
The Owls found their stride midway through the first half, scoring goals in the 19th, 22nd, and 25th minutes to jump out to a 3-0 advantage. An Old Dominion squad that also entered the match unbeaten in C-USA games continued to fight on its home field. The Monarchs scored a goal just before the intermission to cut the margin to 3-1.
"Old Dominion is a good team," Adams explained, "and I knew that after their goal they would have a lot more emotion and momentum for the second half. It was therefore very important that we continue to play well in the second half. Annie scored twice fairly early in the second half and that was big. I'm proud that the whole team was determined to play a strong second half.
"That effort allowed us to end up playing a lot of players," Adams added. "Not only did we play a lot of players, they all seemed to make a contribution when they were out there. That's the team-effort we wanted to see more of, and it's the real prize behind a good result on the scoreboard."
The Owls continue to hold onto the heavily-prized sole possession of first place in the conference standings with 24 points. The C-USA standings are determined by getting three points for a win and one point for a tie. There are now just two league games remaining in the 10-game C-USA regular season schedule.
Rice finished Thursday's match with a 14-11 advantage in shots and owning a 7-6 margin in corner kicks. Owl sophomore goalkeeper Maya Hoyer recorded three saves in the win. Old Dominion is now 7-3-5 on the season and 4-1-3 in conference.
The Owls next return to action with a C-USA match on Sunday (Oct. 22). The Blue & Gray play at Charlotte in a 12 noon start (Central Time).
Team Stats
Marissa Topolski (3)
Assisted By: Nia Stallings
counter from ODU corner, 22 lead pass to
18:58
Samantha Chaiken (8)
Assisted By: Annie Walker
corner to mid box, Chaiken controls ball
21:16
Erin Mikeska (2)
Assisted By: Annie Walker
set piece taken by 9 played into box, 7
24:20
MARIS, Demi
Assisted By: MORICH, Carla , JOHNSON, Natalie
GOAL by ODU MARIS, Demi, Assist by MORICH, Carla and JOHNSON, Natalie.
43:11
Annie Walker (2)
Assisted By: Marissa Topolski
GOAL by RICE Annie Walker, Assist by Marissa Topolski, goal number 2 for season.
54:05
Annie Walker (3)
30 yards out
58:12
Nia Stallings (8)
Assisted By: Darcy Mickalow
GOAL by RICE Nia Stallings, Assist by Darcy Mickalow, goal number 8 for season.
59:14
TEAM
GOAL by RICE OWN GOAL.
65:59
HALL, Morgan (1)
GOAL by ODU HALL, Morgan, goal number 1 for season.
74:16
