East Carolina University
Houston
Cougars Top Pirates On The Pitch, 2-1
October 15, 2010 | Soccer
Oct. 15, 2010
HOUSTON, Texas - Sophomore Caty Butler scored her fourth goal of the season and sixth of her career in the 82nd minute, but it wasn't enough as East Carolina fell to Houston, 2-1, Friday night in Conference USA action at Robertson Stadium. With the loss the Pirates' drop to 7-7-1 overall and 2-4-1 in league play, while the Cougars improve to 10-3-2 and 5-1-1.
Trailing 2-0 in the second period, Butler received a cross pass from Amanda Malkiewicz and poked it in the back of the net to cut Houston's lead to 2-1 with just over eight minutes left in regulation. For Malkiewicz it was her team-leading sixth assist of the year and 16 of her career. She also moved into a tie for fifth place with Jennifer Reiley on the school's all-time points list (46) on the assist.
Kylie Cook put Houston up 1-0 in the 45th minute on a free kick from 28 yards outside the box for her second goal of the season.
Lauri Byrne scored the game-winner in the 56th minute of play when Nicole Duarte sent a long through pass and Byrne finished by fighting off an ECU defender for her team-leading seventh goal. For Duarte it was her second assist of the 2010 campaign.
"For a good portion of the game, Houston dominated us," said head coach Rob Donnenwirth. "You have to give them credit. They were very good tonight. We have to lick our wounds and get ready for Rice on Sunday."
Houston dominated the game with an 18 to 7 shot advantage (9 to 2 shots on goal), while holding a slim advantage in corner kicks, 5-3.
Christiane Cordero logged seven saves on the night in 90 minutes of work in the net for ECU falling to 7-7-1 on the year, while Cami Koski recorded just one save and improved to 8-3-2.
Byrne led all players with five shots (four on goal), while Jessica Zavalza added three with two on goal. Malkiewicz posted a team-best two shots for ECU and joined Butler as the only players with shots on goal.
The Pirates will look to rebound Sunday afternoon when they square off against league-leading Rice (8-5-2, 5-0-3) at the Rice Track/Soccer Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. (EST).
