East Carolina University
UNC Greensboro
ECU Drops Season Opener, 2-0
August 20, 2010 | Soccer
Aug. 20, 2010
GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro netted a pair of first half goals and cruised to a season opening 2-0 win over East Carolina Friday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium. The loss is the first to start a season for the Pirates since dropping a 1-0 contest at Old Dominion in 2006.
Reigning Southern Conference Player-of-the-Year Tabitha Padgett put UNCG up 1-0 early when she took a pass from Katie Evans and lofted a shot over ECU keeper Christiane Cordero from 25 yards out in the 15th minute.
The Spartans (1-0) would add to its lead in the 33rd minute, scoring off a set piece. Jaimey Etten sent a corner kick into the 6-yard box where Kory Spotts found the back of the net on a header for her first career goal.
"Overall I'm disappointed with the way we played," said ECU Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth. "UNCG is a good team and they took advantage of our mistakes. We did create some chances, but we did not play with enough conviction."
ECU (0-1) nearly pulled even in the 28th minute, as Amanda Malkiewicz blasted a shot from 20 yards outs that UNCG keeper Kelsey Kearney batted into the air where she was able to track it down on the line for the save.
The Pirates had another solid scoring chance in the 72nd minute, getting off a pair of shots off a corner kick. Maddie Maurer's attempt was blocked, but Stephanie Shaw came up with the rebound and ripped a shot that Kearney was able to corral to keep the shutout intact.
ECU's last real scoring threat came in the closing seconds, but Chrissy Gratz' shot from the right side of the box found the side netting.
Kearney logged five saves on the night and posted her 20th career shutout, while Cordero, a freshman making her first career start, allowed two goals and did not make a save for the Pirates.
The Spartans put just two shots on frame in the contest, but made them both count. Overall shots were tied at seven apiece with Padgett collecting a game-high three.
UNCG held the advantage in corner kicks, 6-2.
ECU returns to Greenville to open its home slate Sunday, Aug. 22 with a 2 p.m. start against Francis Marion at the North Campus Recreation Complex. The Pirates' own a 3-0-1 all-time record and have outscored the Patriots 10-1 in four career meetings.
