ODU Comes Back to Beat UNCW, 3-2

September 30, 2011

NORFOLK, Va. - Victoria Johnson scored the game-winning goal in the 71st minute and Lisa Bernardini scored twice to lead Old Dominion University women's soccer to a 3-2 come-from-behind win Thursday night in Norfolk.

With the win, ODU improves to 5-4-2 overall and 2-0-1 in CAA play while the Seahawks drop to 2-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

After Bernardini tied the score at two with her second goal of the game, Johnson gave the Lady Monarchs the lead just three minutes later. Taylor Mertz sent a long pass from the left side that Bernardini skimmed over to Johnson on the right, who fired a shot to the left of the UNCW keeper to give ODU its first lead of the night at 3-2.

ODU hung on for the win and is now 3-0-1 in their last four matches. The win over UNCW is ODU's first since a 3-2 triumph in 2005.

After a scoreless first half, both teams dialed up the offense to start the second.

UNC Wilmington got on the board first as Amanda Holmes sent in a cross from the left that Kelly Dodd gathered in the box, and sent a shot to the right of Brianna Alvarado to give UNCW a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Monarchs came right back just 36 seconds later as Kate Kelly sent a cross pass from the right that Bernardini headed past Caitlin Hunter to knot the score at one.

The Seahawks regained the lead in the 65th minute as Kim Currie sent an arcing shot from the left side that dropped into the right corner for the 2-1 UNCW lead.

ODU came back again as Johnson dribbled down the left side and found Bernardini in the middle of the box and fired a shot to the right of Hunter to tie the score at two.

ODU dominated in shots, holding a 21-9 advantage while UNCW held a 4-2 lead in corner kicks.

Alvarado earned the win in goal picking up two saves while Hunter made four stops for UNCW.

Old Dominion hits the road on Sunday, as they head to Georgia State for their first CAA road game of the season, starting at 1 p.m.