Showcasing Monarch Best

November 19, 2014

The weather was cold, but the pressure was searingly hot.

Coach Allan Dawson and the Old Dominion University men's soccer team played host to the 2014 Conference USA Championship this past weekend on campus. And without a strong performance, the soccer Monarchs stood to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years.

A slow start to the season meant that the team needed to turn heads this weekend to impress the selection committee for the Tournament.

When the stakes are the highest, this team seems to play its best. The Monarchs rendered the opinion of the selection committee moot, winning Old Dominion's first conference championship in any sport, capturing the C-USA title with a 2-1 victory over South Carolina Sunday.

On Thursday night, the Monarchs will host St. Francis Brooklyn, champions of the Northeast Conference, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. I'm no meteorologist, but if the weather is anything like it was this past weekend, dress warmly. If the Monarchs can defeat the Terriers, they will earn a rematch with the 8th-seeded Georgetown Hoyas, and a chance for a bit of revenge. The Hoyas knocked Old Dominion out of the NCAA Tournament last year.

Remember, the athletes pulling on the blue and silver to represent the Monarchs juggle school responsibilities and dedication to their sport. Many of the championships, including men's soccer, occur during the busiest time of the semester. So be proud of the Monarchs and Lady Monarchs, who represent our school in an impressive fashion.