East Carolina University
Stony Brook
Pirates Down Stony Brook, 3-1
September 04, 2009 | Soccer
Sept. 4, 2009
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| Stony Brook Box Score 
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Sophomore Amanda Malkiewicz scored the game-winning goal for the second straight time as East Carolina defeated Stony Brook 3-1 Friday afternoon at Bunting Field. The score was tied 1-1 at halftime, but ECU scored two goals, both assisted by freshman Rachel Wechsler, within the first seven minutes of the second half to secure the victory.
The win moves the Pirates to 3-0-0 on the young season while the Seawolves fall to 0-2-1. The 3-0 start is the first for ECU since beginning the 1998 season 4-0-0. The triumph is also the first for East Carolina over Stony Brook, as the other two contests in the series had ended in ties.
The Pirates spent the first half putting the pressure on Stony Brook, outshooting the Seawolves 9-1. Malkiewicz and senior Jessica Swanson registered shots on goal within the first six minutes of the contest, setting the tone for ECU. At 28:43, sophomore Jessica Woodward nearly scored, but her shot hit off the crossbar and bounced over the goal.
At 36:33, junior Bailey Wilcox scored the game's first goal. She lofted a shot from the left side of the goal over the outstretched arms of the Stony Brook goalie, Marisa Viola, and into the upper right-hand corner of the net. Freshman Kimmy Cummings and redshirt freshman Stephanie Shaw registered assists on the play. It was the first assist of Shaw's career.
The Pirates gave up the lead in less than a minute later, however, as Gabriella Petralia scored off an assist from Sa'Sha Kershaw at 37:12. It was the Seawolves' only shot of the half.
"We played a very good first half," head coach Rob Donnenwirth said. "We put nice defensive pressure on them and we made some good passes. But we were still tied at the half."
The score remained tied until 46:38, when Malkiewicz got open in the box and converted the opportunity, putting East Carolina up 2-1. Five minutes later, Woodward scored the insurance goal, her first of the season, off Wechsler's second assist of the half. Freshman Chrissy Gratz started the play with a throw-in from the side. Wechsler took a shot, but it hit off the goal post and Woodward headed the rebound past Viola for the score.
"I think the key to the game was scoring two early goals in the second half," Donnenwirth said. "But give Stony Brook credit; they never quit and were dangerous right to the very end."
Freshman Berit Hansen picked up the win in goal for the Pirates, moving to 2-0 on the season. Junior Jen Kurowicki played the first half, allowing her first goal of the season. Hansen and Kurowicki had help on defense, as the back row surrendered just seven shots and three corner kicks to the Seawolves.
"Our midfielders played great. They covered a lot of ground and created a lot of offense for us tonight," Donnenwirth said.
The Pirates have a quick turnaround now as they head to Winston-Salem to face Wake Forest Sunday at 1 p.m. The Demon Deacons have won all five meetings with ECU, but the teams have not played since the 2003 season, when Wake Forest won 1-0.
