East Carolina University
UNC-Wilmington
Pirates Down UNC Wilmington In Overtime
September 07, 2008 | Soccer
Sept. 7, 2008
WILMINGTON, N.C. - After a tough 1-0 loss to South Carolina last week, the East Carolina soccer team bounced back with a gritty effort in defeating rival UNC Wilmington 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the UNCW Soccer Stadium. The Pirates improve to 3-1-0 on the season while the Seahawks fall to 1-3-1 overall.
UNC Wilmington represents the school that ECU has played most in program history as the Pirates now lead the all-time series 10-4-1. Additionally, the win marks the third consecutive season that the program has started 3-1.
The first half remained scoreless until the 29th minute when the Seahawks' Kelly Dodd was the recipient of a through ball by Brittany Croce. Dodd calmly slotted the ball under East Carolina keeper Amber Campbell to give her team the 1-0 advantage. The Pirates tied the contest just over 15 minutes later when they earned a corner. Sophomore Scarlett Van Loon scored her first goal of the season as she put the ball in the back of the net off of a deflection from freshman Amanda Malkiewicz. Senior Nicole Moore earned the other assist as she took the corner.
UNC Wilmington came out a determined group in the second stanza, unleashing eight shots as compared to two for the visitors. However, neither squad could break through as the contest went to the extra session.
Each team recorded a shot in the first sudden-victory overtime period but it was ECU that capitalized on its chance as junior Jessica Swanson took a ball that was flicked into the box by senior Blair Heffner off of a kick by Campbell and beat Seahawk keeper Emily Pratt to her left.
"I was proud that we were able to come back from being a goal down and grind out a win," head coach Rob Donnenwirth explained. "Amber had a great game in goal and both teams had their chances. Swani's finish in overtime was excellent. "
The Pirates return to action on Friday, Sept. 12 as they travel to Philadelphia, Pa. as participants in the Penn tournament. East Carolina will face Hofstra at 5 p.m. while closing the tournament with Penn on Sunday at 1 p.m.
