East Carolina University
Tulsa
Spitler's Goal Lifts East Carolina Over Tulsa, 1-0
October 09, 2014 | Soccer
TULSA, Okla. - Sophomore forward Lana Spitler scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season as the East Carolina women's soccer team remained unbeaten on the road with a 1-0 American Athletic Conference win at Tulsa on Thursday evening.
The Pirates improved to 5-0-1 in away matches in 2014 and has not allowed a single goal during that span. They own a 7-0-2 record in their last nine road matches, with their last defeat in a true road contest coming at UAB on Oct. 6, 2013.
Senior goalkeeper Erika Lenns made five saves for her third win of the year - all of which have come in shutout fashion. ECU notched its ninth shutout of the season, tying the 2008 team for the third most in program history.
"I am very proud of our team's effort tonight," head coach Rob Donnenwirth said. "Road games are tough and Tulsa is a very good team. We defended extremely well and Erika made some big saves. We created some good counter attacks and Lana's goal was awesome."
Junior striker Kendall Frey recorded the game's first shot on goal on a great attempt from outside the goal box in the seventh minute, but it was saved to keep the match scoreless. Following some fancy footwork, Tulsa forward Madison Smith hit the right goal post with a shot in the 20-minute mark, but the rebound came straight out before the East Carolina (8-4-1, 2-2-0 American) defense cleared the threat before any harm could be done.
The Pirates lit up the scoreboard just inside the 31st minute when Spitler collected the ball at midfield and dribbled through open space down the right side before hitting a shot from approximately 20 yards out that went into the left side of Tulsa's (7-6-2, 1-3-1 American) net for her second game-winner of the season.
The Montoursville, Pa., native, who entered the night with the eighth most goals in The American, has now scored four times in ECU's first four conference matches this year.
The Golden Hurricane ripped off another shot from about 25 yards out and straight away from ECU's net in the 42nd minute, but Lenns was able to jump up and punch the ball over the crossbar.
East Carolina maintained its 1-0 lead into halftime, despite being outshot, 7-2, by Tulsa, who also held a 3-0 advantage in corner kick chances in the period. Lenns made three saves in the first 45 minutes to keep the Golden Hurricane scoreless.
Tulsa had a golden opportunity to tie the match in the 52nd minute when Christina Holmes made a drive along ECU's near-side end line and tapped a shot right into Lenns' body that was saved and cleared once again.
Frey had a shot from point-blank range in the 72nd minute, but had little time to place her shot and fired the ball right into the hands of the Golden Hurricane goalkeeper who made the stop.
Tulsa had a handful of opportunities to tie the match in the final 10 minutes, including a corner kick with 90 seconds remaining, but could not find an equalizer, as the Pirates held on for the hard-fought victory.
The Golden Hurricane held a 13-5 edge in total shots, but just a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. Tulsa also took five corner kicks to ECU's three.
East Carolina will continue on to Memphis and take on the Tigers on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.
