East Carolina University
Hofstra
Pirates Slip Past Hofstra, 2-1
September 12, 2008 | Soccer
Sept. 12, 2008
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - In addition to battling Hofstra on Friday afternoon, the East Carolina soccer team also had to take on the elements. However, the Pirates overcame both foes as they defeated the Pride in comeback fashion, 2-1, in a driving rainstorm at Rhodes Field in Philadelphia, Pa. With the victory, ECU ups its overall record to 4-1-0 while Hofstra falls to 2-3-0 on the season.
The Pirates' win is impressive, considering that the Pride is ranked No. 2 in the Northeast Region. Additionally, Hofstra qualified for the second round of the NCAA Tournament just a season ago. East Carolina's 4-1 record marks the third time in program history and first since 1999 that the Pirates have won four of their first five contests.
The squads played a balanced game throughout the first half, but the Pride was able to capitalize on a chance late in the stanza. Erika Fuertes took a cross from the right side off of the foot of Tiffany Yovino and headed it into the back of the net just before ECU keeper Amber Campbell could reach the ball, giving Hofstra a 1-0 halftime advantage. Shots in the first half favored the Pride 6-5 while the teams were even in corner kicks, each with three.
The Pirates did not take long to even the score line, as just five minutes into the final interval, junior Jessica Swanson took a cross from freshman Amanda Malkiewicz and headed it back across the goal mouth and past Hofstra keeper Krysten Farriella. The score was Swanson's second in as many contests, as she provided the overtime winner against rival UNC Wilmington earlier this week.
With 23 minutes remaining in the game, Malkiewicz put East Carolina ahead for good, taking advantage of a misplay by Farriella. The keeper attempted to one-time a pass to her defender but the ball slipped off of her foot to a waiting Malkiewicz, who easily slotted the ball home to provide the final margin. It was the first collegiate goal for the rookie as well as her first game-winning tally. She now leads the team in points with six (one goal and four assists).
"This is a significant win for our program and I learned a lot about our team today," head coach Rob Donnenwirth stated. "Coming back from 1-0 down to a strong Hofstra team showed a lot of character on the ladies' part. Our backs were very good all game. Malkiewicz had a great game and Swani's goal was awesome."
The Pirates return to action Sunday, closing out the Penn Invitational with a tilt against the host Quakers. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m. at Rhodes Field.
