Box Score

Philadelphia – Old Dominion’s Steffen Rabben scored twice and the Monarchs (9-6-2, 6-3-1) dominated offensive opportunities in a 2-1 win over Drexel on Saturday. The Dragons (6-6-5, 4-3-3) battled hard and got a late goal by Cole Feffer (Upland Calif./Upland) to set up a thrilling ending. But the home team fell short in their final match at Vidas Field this season. Seniors Carlos Ruthner, Bryan Ruff, Brandon Fischer, Cory Robertson, Todd Wampler, Pat McCaffery, Leland Raum and Kyle O’Connor were honored prior to the match as part of senior night ceremonies.

Old Dominion outshot Drexel 20-7 on the evening and put the Dragons’ defense and keeper Alex Reber under pressure the entire night. Reber, making just his second start of the season for the Dragons, made a season-high eight saves while allowing the two goals. Brennan Kirkpatrick made three saves for the Monarchs in net.

Old Dominion’s Steffen Rabben opened scoring for the Monarchs in the 29th minute when he took a feed from Nane Joseph on the right side of the box and blasted a shot past keeper Alex Reber to the left, giving Old Dominion a 1-0 lead.

In just his third taste of action this season, Reber came up with a series of big saves midway through the first half. Off consecutive Old Dominion corners, Trevor Banks found the head of Tommy Webb, who put the ball on goal. Reber read the plays perfectly and positioned himself to make both saves.

The Monarchs dominated offensive chances in the first half, outshooting Drexel 12-1. Old Dominion’s speed at midfield proved to be its best defense, as the Dragons struggled to possess the ball across the midfield line or push forward into its offensive zone.

Steffen Rabben got his second tally of the match just over three minutes into the second period when Reber missed on a kick that would have cleared the ball out of his goal box. Rabben was there to tap in the Monarchs’ second goal of the match. Minutes later Drexel’s defense would have to answer the call again as Nane Joseph powered his way into the box and slid a pass past a diving Reber. Two Monarchs would get off shots with the keeper out of the play, but Drexel defenders would get in the way of both attempts, staving off a third ODU score.

The Dragons fought back, getting a late goal when Anthony Bafile slid a ball across the right side of the goal box. Cole Feffer sprinted in and dove to chip the ball into the left side of the net. Feffer’s first career goal made it a 2-1 contest with just over two minutes remaining. Drexel earned a corner kick with less than two minutes left, but Fabio Assumpção’s set kick did not find its mark and was cleared away by Old Dominion.

The loss temporarily drops Drexel into a sixth-place tie with Hofstra in the CAA standings with only a road contest at William & Mary remaining. The final match of the season will be played on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Williamsburg, Va.

ODU 1 1 - 2
Drexel 0 1 - 1

Scoring Summary
28:05 ODU Steffen Rabben (Nane Joseph)
48:39 ODU Steffen Rabben (unassisted)
87:42 DU Cole Feffer (Anthony Bafile, Andrew Goldberg)

Shots: ODU 20, DU 7
Corners: ODU 4, DU 3
Saves: Reber (Drexel) 8, Kirkpatrick (ODU) 3
Fouls: ODU 18, DU 5
Cards: #19 ODU, yellow (16:19); #7 ODU, yellow (57:06)