East Carolina University
UNC Greensboro (Exhibition)
Soccer Downs UNCG 2-0 In Exhibition
August 14, 2009 | Soccer
Aug. 14, 2009
GREENVILLE, N.C. - In a match-up of defending conference champions, Jessica Swanson and Amanda Malkiewicz scored a goal apiece to lead East Carolina past UNC Greensboro 2-0 in an exhibition contest at Bunting Field.
Prior to the game, the teams had agreed to play one 45-minute period followed by two 30-minute periods. It was in the final session that Swanson and Malkiewicz found the back of the net. Swanson tallied the game-winning goal, banging home a loose ball following a corner kick at the 86:10 mark.
Malkiewicz scored the insurance goal with 1:37 remaining in the game, when she beat her defender and slipped the ball past UNCG goalie Alex Perry for the game's final tally. Tricia Tufts was credited with the assist on Swanson's goal and Kimmy Cummings and Christiane Cordero had helpers on Malkiewicz's goal.
In net for the Pirates, freshmen Berit Hansen and Cordero shared time, combining to stop all four shots on goal. Hansen played the first 75 minutes of the contest while Cordero played the final 30.
"It was good to begin the year with a scrimmage against a very tough UNCG team," head coach Rob Donnenwirth stated. "We were a little frantic in the first period and our touches were not there. But we settled down a little bit and that made a big difference. We started making better passes, anticipating better and winning balls that we weren't early in the game. UNCG really made us work for the ball."
The Spartans began the game strong, outshooting the Pirates eight to three in the first period while collecting six corner kicks. In the second period, the team's each took three shots and ECU recorded its first three corner kicks of the contest. It was in the final 30 minutes that the Pirates saw their offense kick in, outshooting UNCG seven to three and scoring the game's only goals.
East Carolina begins the regular season next Friday, Aug. 21, hosting former Colonial Athletic Association rival Virginia Commonwealth. The contest is slated for 5 p.m. at Bunting Field.
