NORFOLK, VA— The Old Dominion University Soccer Monarchs (10-5-1) will host the Drexel Dragons (9-7-4), champions of the Colonial Athletic Association. Under head coach Alan Dawson, the Monarchs have been selected to the NCAA Tournament four consecutive years and 10 of the last 12 seasons. Game time will be 6 p.m. at the ODU Soccer Complex. The winner will play at sixth seed Georgetown Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

“Obviously we are excited to be in the field of 48. It’s a tough match-up, we know the opponent and they know us as it’s an old conference rival,” said Dawson. “We are looking forward to Thursday night, and very happy that we are hosting. I think the guys are anxious to get back on the pitch, and play another opponent after the tough loss in the conference tournament. C-USA is a very difficult league and I think it has prepared us well for the NCAA tournament. ”

ODU will be one of three C-USA teams in the field with seventh seed New Mexico (11-5-2) and 13th seed Charlotte (12-5-3).

The Monarchs enter the tournament led by senior co-captain and C-USA Offensive Player of the Year Tim Hopkinson (Nottingham, England) with 24 points on 10 goals and four assists along with five game-winning goals. Junior Ivan Militar (Szeged, Hungary ) is second in scoring with 14 points on four goals and a team best six assists. C-USA All-freshman selection Jesse Miralrio (Arlington, TX.) is third with nine points on three goals and three assists.

The Monarchs defense will be anchored by All-C-USA defender and senior co-captain Jason Gaylord (Kendall, NY.) along with second team C-USA goalkeeper Sean Stowe (Midlothian, VA.). Stowe has a 1.23 goals against average and a .750 saves percentage.

The Dragons are led by senior midfielder Nathan Page with 13 points on five goals and three assists, followed by Ken Tribbett with 10 points on four goals and two assists. Freshman goalkeeper Tyler Afflerbach comes in with six shutouts and a 0.90 goals against average. All three earned All-CAA honors and Drexel head coach Doug Hess was named CAA Coach of the Year.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students.

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