Soccer Hosts Rice For C-USA Opener
September 25, 2009 | Soccer
Sept. 25, 2009
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The East Carolina soccer team will host Rice at 4 p.m. today in the Conference USA opener for both teams. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the Pirates will join the fight against the disease today by wearing and auctioning off pink jerseys. All proceeds will benefit the Riley’s Army charity of Greenville.
Riley’s Army, founded in April of 2007, supports nine-year-old Greenville resident Riley Philpot, her family and others in the area with children battling cancer. At age six, Riley was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumor on her right kidney. After what appeared to be a successful operation and removal of the tumor, the cancer returned and several spots on her lungs were found. Riley, who loves soccer and attends Pirate matches whenever she is able, continues her battle with cancer today.
During today’s game, ECU’s players, coaches and team trainer Andrew Pickett will wear pink jerseys that will be up for auction. Fans can place their bids at a table set up next to the bleachers at Bunting Field. Bidding will start at $20 per jersey and increase in increments of $5. Bidding will end with five minutes remaining in the second half. Winners must pay with either cash or check immediately after the match, at which time each player, coach or trainer will present the winner with his or her jersey.
Pieces of Eight
Facts to Know Before Gametime
The Pirates Against The Owls …
East Carolina and Rice have split the four games in the all-time series. The Owls took the first two meetings, Sept. 30 and Nov. 4 of 2005, while the Pirates won in 2007 and 2008. In all four games, the loser has been shut out.
A season ago in Houston, the Pirates downed the Owls 2-0. Alexis Foltz tallied the game-winning goal at 38:04 before Amanda Broz gave the Pirates some insurance with a goal at 68:38. Savanna Russo was credited with assists on both scores. ECU goalkeeper Amber Campbell made seven saves in the shutout.
Downing The Seahawks …
With Sunday’s 4-3 double-overtime victory over UNC Wilmington, East Carolina has won the past three games in the series. It is the Pirates’ longest winning streak over the Seahawks since winning four straight from 1997-2000.
Broz’ Game-Winning Goal …
Broz tallied the game-winning goal Sunday against UNC Wilmington on a header off a corner kick. The goal was the sixth of the junior’s career and the fourth game-winner.
It was her first game-deciding goal since her freshman season, when she tied for fifth in Conference USA with three game-winners (Francis Marion 9/29, at Southern Miss 10/5 and Rice 10/21).
Hansen’s Scoreless Minutes Streak Snapped …
In Sunday’s contest, East Carolina gave up a goal at 25:17 when Ashley Myers scored on a penalty kick. Pirate freshman goalkeeper Berit Hansen got a hand on the shot, but the ball bounced into the right corner of the net.
The goal stopped Hansen’s scoreless minutes streak at 311:42. She had not allowed a goal since 68:35 into the contest at Wake Forest Sept. 6.
Hansen is currently ranked seventh in Conference USA in saves with 29 and ninth in goals-against average at 1.14.
