ODU Drops Unbeaten VCU 2-1 On McKenzie Miracle in Double Overtime :: Lisa McKenzie's goal lifts ODU to dramatic finish in Richmond

Oct. 12, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. -- ODU handed VCU its first conference loss Friday night, in dramatic fashion, as senior forward Lisa McKenzie lofted a shot over the head of the VCU keeper from 20 yards out with only one second remaining. On the same night the ODU men dropped VCU in a double-overtime thriller at the ODU Soccer Stadium, the Lady Monarchs ushered the same fate to the Rams in Richmond. The 2-1 double overtime win improved the ODU record to 6-3-2, 2-2-1 in CAA and dropped the Rams to 7-5-1, 4-1-0 in CAA action.

The night would belong to ODU's two seniors in what might be their final game against the in-state rivals. With just 10 ticks left on the clock in the double-overtime period, Beth Messier corraled the ball on the ODU side of midfield. As the clock counted the final few seconds, she dribbled across midfield, then scooted a pass to Lisa McKenzie up field. McKenzie took a dribble toward the top of the box and then, from about 20 yards with no more than a second on the clock, lifted the ball into the air over the keeper's head for the game-winner.

Both teams had plenty of offensive opportunities, with over 50 shots combined in the game. The first half saw 19 of those shots, but neither team was able to connect with the twine in the first frame. As was the theme of the game, VCU would have a big opportunity with under a minute left in the period.

The Rams top scorer of late, Jasmine Riley would fire a shot on goal that ODU keeper Lauren Tupman would save, but junior Rebecca Zimmerman would follow with a shot on the wide-open net. Sophomore Brittney Kortz would make a sensational save stepping in and preventing the chance.

Almost immediately out of the locker room, Janna Pearson would be the first to score in the match. The junior forward connected for her third goal of the season in the 48th minute. The goal was unassisted as Pearson gathered the ball along the left side and fired a shot from about 10 yards out, finding the right corner. It was the first goal VCU had surrendered in CAA action this season.

Riley for VCU tied up the game in the 60th minute of play, making this her fifth straight game with a goal.

The game would remain tied until the final tick, but not for lack of trying. The teams combined for 22 corner kicks and 51 shots in the game. It was the 51st shot, though, that would induce a bench-clearing celebration for the Lady Monarchs.

The keepers played exceptionally well for 110 minutes each, as Tupman saved 9 shots while VCU's keeper, Emily Niman would stop five. Both teams combined for 16 saves on 19 shots-on-goal.

The Lady Monarchs will now head to Harrisonburg to play the still unbeaten Dukes of James Madison (11-1-1, 4-0-1). JMU is ranked 30th in the nation by Soccer Buzz Magazine and defeated William & Mary 1-0 on Friday night. Kick-off for the Sunday game is set for 1:00 pm.

ODU  0-1-0-1 -  2
VCU  0-1-0-0 -  1
47:58 ODU Pearson, Janna (unassisted)
59:23 VCU Riley, Jasmine (Flanagan, Megan)
110:00 ODU McKenzie, Lisa (Messier, Beth)
Shots: ODU (20), VCU (31)
Corners: ODU (6), VCU (16)
Fouls: ODU (12), VCU (9)
Saves: ODU 11 (Tupman, Lauren 9; TEAM 2), VCU 5 (Niman, Emily 5)