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ROCK HILL, SC—Coming off a solid showing at the Big South/SoCon Shootout last weekend, the Winthrop men's soccer team completion gets tougher as it heads to Norfolk, VA this weekend for the 37^th Annual ODU-Stihl Soccer Classic.

The Eagles (2-1) will open up with Virginia Commonwealth on Friday, Sept. 7 at 4:30 p.m. The Rams enter the contest undefeated at 1-0-2 and is currently ranked fourth in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region. This will be the first time in school history that the Eagles have squared off against VCU. On Sunday, Winthrop will face the host Monarchs at 2:30 p.m.

Winthrop is coming off a 2-1 overtime victory at Wofford College on Sunday, Sept. 2 and hopes to keep the momentum against a VCU team that earned a tough tie at UMBC on Aug. 30 and has also defeated a strong William & Mary squad.

Entering the season one of the main focuses for the Eagles was to revive the offense after back-to-back seasons of just a combined 39 goals and through three games Winthrop may have the ingredients it needs. The team has eight goals in three games and has created several quality scoring chances so far this season.

Junior Mason Lavallet came off the bench to provide a spark in the win over Wofford as he netted both goals. Lavallet also set up a goal against Georgia Southern on Friday. In his first action of the season, junior Achille Obougou showed signs he can create offensive opportunities as he set up a goal in the loss to GSU and nearly netted one 22^nd minute when he dribbled around the keeper and ripped a shot toward goal that was shouldered away by a defender at the goal line. Lavallet is the only Eagle with more than one goal as the scoring has been balanced.

Winthrop will need to be sharp offensively this weekend against a VCU squad that has allowed two goals in three games and an ODU team that has recorded back-to-back shutouts to open the season.

On Sunday, Winthrop will take on 6^th-ranked (Soccer America) Old Dominion for just the second time in school history. The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie in 2006 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament as Winthrop fell 4-3 in penalties.

The Monarchs are off to a good start having defeated Navy 4-0 and picking up a 2-0 road win at 25^th ranked Central Florida on Sept. 1. Midfielder Gideon Asante was named to the CollegeSoccer News National Team of the Week while goalkeeper Victor Francoz was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of The Week. Asante had a goal and an assist in the win over UCF.

ODU was 7-0-1 at home in 2011 and its last home loss came on Oct. 27, 2010 against James Madison, 2-0.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Mason Lavallet (Jr., MF/F): Let's see if Lavallet can stay involved offensively after an impressive showing at the Big South/SoCon Shootout with two goals and an assist.

Achille Obougou (Jr., F): Had a couple of really good chances to score first collegiate goal last weekend, getting close and this weekend would be a great time for him to find the net a couple of times.

Magnus Thorsson (Fr., MF): Freshman has been close to scoring his first goal a few times already this season. Has played solid in the middle of the field for the Eagles. First goal could come off a set piece.