CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte women’s soccer maintained its unbeaten mark at home this season, scoring once in each half to top Old Dominion 2-1 Sunday afternoon in the Conference USA opener for both programs.

The 49ers improved to 4-0 in the Queen City this fall, while increasing their overall record to 17-4-1 in their first league match of a season, including a 6-2 ledger under head coach John Cullen.

“We’re delighted to get the first conference win of the season,” Cullen said. “It’s the first game; everybody wants to be 1-0 and we knew ODU would be a very tough team to play against. I thought today we had a good game plan and worked hard leading into the game. The girls executed the game play and we stifled them, not allowing many shots on goal. We’re thoroughly delighted to come out with the win.”

Charlotte (5-4, 1-0 C-USA) controlled much of the run of play most of the afternoon, finishing with a dominate edge on shots, 19-to-10, including 12-to-5 when placing them on goal.

The Niners used a quick burst to start the contest with the early advantage. They retained possession much of the early minutes before striking at 3:27. Senior Katie O’Neill played a ball to the sideline, where sophomore Emily Truelove was standing in front of the Lady Monarchs bench. Without much hesitation, Truelove served the ball behind the Old Dominion (2-6, 0-1 C-USA) backline to hit junior Martha Thomas in-stride. Thomas then one-touched the ball past goalie Krista Moisio for the 1-0 lead.

It marked the earliest a goal had been scored by either Charlotte or any of its opponents this season.

The 49ers continued to pursue other opportunities but could not put the ball between the pipes again in the opening 45 minutes. Thomas was credited with the Niners’ first four shots, as the Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year was creating havoc in the final third.

The one-goal edge held up through halftime. Old Dominion then started the second half stronger than it had played in the opening period but the Charlotte defense stood tall in front of netminder Anna Shelden. With the 49ers looking to increase their margin, they were given a chance nearly a third into the frame.

Charlotte was able to draw a foul on a Lady Monarchs defender on the right side, setting up a free kick. Freshman Riley Orr swung her kick into the six-yard box, and through a mass of bodies, classmate Megan Greene turned her body just enough to redirect it behind Moisio for the 2-0 advantage at the 59:44 mark.

It marked Greene’s team-leading sixth of the campaign, keeping her within striking distance of the conference leader, WKU’s Chandler Backus, who has eight thus far. Greene is one of three players who currently have a half-dozen goals this year.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Old Dominion did not quit. The visitors finally put home a goal of their own at 69:48 when Kathryn Hill’s rocket from 40 yards out slotted into the upper left 90 to pull the Lady Monarchs within one, 2-1.

The 49ers held on from there to grab their second-straight conference-opening triumph and improve to 11-2-1 all-time when beginning a Conference USA campaign.

“I think this builds the confidence more. When you win a game, everyone feels good and it validates the work you’ve done in training. Before today’s game, we had 10 little battles to play. This is the first one down and there’s nine more to go.”

Charlotte returns to action at 7 p.m. Friday in Miami as it takes on FIU.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's NCAA Tournament First Round Recap

Men's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

TeamRank Presented By TeamSnap - Boys