East Carolina University
Gardner-Webb
Soccer Shuts Out Gardner-Webb, 2-0
September 18, 2008 | Soccer
Sept. 18, 2008
GREENVILLE, N.C. - In its first-ever meeting with Gardner-Webb, the East Carolina soccer team scored two goals in the first 27 minutes to post a 2-0 non-conference win Thursday afternoon at Bunting Field. The Pirates are now 5-2-0 on the season while the Bulldogs dip to 2-6-0. ECU has now won three of its last four contests.
Freshman Amanda Malkiewicz put forth the first threat on the Gardner-Webb net and cashed in, beating keeper Sarah Wysznski off of a pass from the left side by senior Blair Heffner. Almost exactly 20 minutes later, Malkiewicz took a run down the left side and slid the ball to freshman Leah Bagonis, who found sophomore Jessica Cunningham all alone in the box. Cunningham then took a nice touch past Wysznski and slotted the ball into the open net. The teams continued to battle for the remainder of the stanza, but the Pirates took the 2-0 advantage into the half.
The second interval proved scoreless but each squad had its chances, as both teams hit the crossbar and both keepers made fantastic saves to preserve the 2-0 score line. East Carolina out-shot the Bulldogs 12-5 while fouls were even at six.
Senior goalkeeper Amber Campbell made four saves, posting her third shutout of the season and 24th of her career. Malkiewicz, with her three-point effort (one goal and an assist), kept her team lead as she now had nine for the season.
"I was pleased with the way we moved the ball and had energy in the first half," head coach Rob Donnenwirth explained. "However, I was not happy with our play in the second half. We did not look sharp at all and I would have liked to see us possess the ball more. We have to make better runs off of the ball."
The Pirates remain at home for their next contest, hosting the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina. The match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start at Bunting Field and it will be the first-ever game between the schools.
