ODU (13-5-1 in 2021) vs. Auburn (12-7-1)
Game Info – Thursday, August 18 – 7:30 PM EST
Location – Auburn Soccer Complex; Auburn, Ala.
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NORFOLK, Va. — The Old Dominion women’s soccer team opens its 2022 season on Thursday night with the first of three straight road matches taking on Auburn University.
Old Dominion enters its first season in the Sun Belt Conference after a 13-5-1 season in 2021 capped by winning the Conference USA title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Auburn was 12-7-1 in 2021 and also advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
The last meeting between these teams took place Sept. 22, 2019, in Norfolk as ODU and Auburn played to a 0-0 tie.
A pair of ODU players were announced recently on the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Players to Watch list. Midfielder Ece Turkoglu and forward Carla Morich were listed among the top players at their positions. Both are returning All-Region selections from 2021.
Morich also started all 19 matches for the Monarchs last season. The forward from Germany led ODU’s offense with five goals, six assists, and 52 shots, 21 of which were on goal. Morich was named to the Conference USA All-Conference Second Team, C-USA Tournament Offensive MVP and C-USA Offensive Player of the Week in September.
Turkoglu made 17 appearances, starting 16 matches for the Monarchs in 2021, with her only two game absences occurring while she competed for the Turkish National Team in World Cup Qualifying matches. The junior midfielder recorded one goal, two assists, and 20 shots for the season. Turkoglu’s lone goal was against Middle Tennessee in the Conference USA Tournament semifinal match, to help ODU win 2-1. Turkoglu was named to the Conference USA All-Conference First Team, as well as receiving Conference USA All-Tournament recognition.
The Monarchs will return to the pitch on August 25 at William & Mary in a 7 pm match.