East Carolina University
Memphis
Memphis Tops ECU On The Pitch, 2-0
October 08, 2010 | Soccer
Oct. 8, 2010
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis used two first-half goals from senior midfielder Vendula Strnadova and solid defense throughout to keep the East Carolina Pirates at bay in 2-0 victory Friday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
The Lady Tigers (9-3-1;3-1-1 C-USA) struck first on a howler by Vendula Strnadova from 28 yards out. Lizzy Hildebrandt passed it off to Ashley Berra who left it Strndadova in space.
Fancy footwork allowed Strnadova to maneuver past an ECU defender and fire the golden goal past Pirates' keeper Christiane Cordero.
Less than five minutes later, Strnadova struck again. After an ECU pass deflected off Ashley Berra, Strnadova controlled the ball and rocketed it through the back right of the net. For Strnadova, it was her second and third goals of the season.
The Pirates (7-6-0; 2-3-0 C-USA) had chances in the second half, managing four shots to go along with one corner kick opportunity. The Lady Tigers used solid back line defense and consistent keeper play to hold off the ECU attack.
ECU had its best scoring opportunity midway through the first period when Bailey Wilcox received a ball deep inside the Memphis box. Two straight point-blank saves from Lady Tiger keeper Elise Kuhar-Pitters kept the Pirate attack in check.
In all, Memphis finished with 14 shots to ECU's seven, including 10 in the opening half. Alena Strnadova led the Lady Tigers with four shots, as four Memphis players finished with two or more attempts. Wilcox led the Pirates with three shots, two on goal and four others logged one shot.
Kuhar-Pitters recorded the 18th shutout of her career and the seventh of the season for the Lady Tigers. Cordero recorded three saves in the match for the Pirates and pushed her season total to 56.
The Pirates will continue their road swing when they travel to Birmingham, Ala. for a 3 p.m. (EST) tilt against UAB Sunday afternoon.
