East Carolina University
UNC-Wilmington
East Carolina, UNC Wilmington Play to 0-0 Draw
September 19, 2014 | Soccer
WILMINGTON, N.C. - Despite East Carolina owning a statistical advantage in nearly every offensive category, two overtime periods could not decide a winner, as the Pirates played to a scoreless draw at UNC Wilmington in its final non-conference road match on Friday night.
In ECU's first tie of the 2014 campaign, redshirt junior goalkeeper Saundra Baron recorded her sixth shutout of the season and has now allowed just one goal in her last 615 minutes between the goal posts.
"Tonight's match was just like most games against UNCW in that it had a lot of momentum changes," head coach Rob Donnenwirth said. "We played a great second half and created some good (scoring) chances."
East Carolina (5-2-1) brought pressure from the opening kickoff as senior defender Kelley Johnson took a shot on goal that was saved and led to a Kelly Miller corner kick in the first minute of action. The first big scoring chance of the night came in the 33rd minute when freshman striker Courtney Taybron ripped a shot off the crossbar, but the Pirates could not take a lead through the first 45 minutes of play.
The Seahawks outshot the Pirates, 6-4, in the first half, but ECU held a 2-1 edge in corner kick opportunities.
The second half was rather one-sided in ECU's favor, as the offense got off five shots in the first 15 minutes of the period. In yet another series of unfortunate events, sophomore striker Lana Spitler's first shot of the evening hit the crossbar just three minutes into the period. Moments later, a pair of attempts by classmate and fellow forward Kelsey Reeves in the 53rd and 55th minutes could not find the back of the net.
Maintaining control of the momentum, East Carolina's relentless effort was illustrated further when senior midfielder Lexi Herring's shot in 70th minute was saved and led to another corner kick, before senior Brett Thomas' attempt in the 71st minute was also turned aside.
UNC Wilmington (5-3-1) earned a pair of corner kick chances at 74 and 76-minute marks, but was unable to take advantage of its first window of opportunity in the half.
ECU grew desperate to punch in a late goal in the final six minutes of regulation, receiving four corner kicks and getting another shot on goal from Johnson, but the Seahawk defense remained resilient and kept the Pirates off the scoreboard through 90 minutes of play.
East Carolina held an impressive 7-1 advantage in shots on goal and 9-3 edge in corner kicks at the end of regulation, while outshooting UNC Wilmington, 12-8 overall and 8-2 in the second half.
The Pirates got off shots in the first 30 seconds of each 10-minute overtime period, but both were saved. The Seahawks took five shots in extra time, but none were on goal, as the sides settled for the scoreless draw after 110 minutes of action.
ECU finished the evening with a 14-13 lead in shots, 9-1 gap in shots on goal and 10-5 advantage in corner kicks. The Pirates' 14 shots and 10 corners were both season highs.
Johnson and Reeves led all East Carolina shooters with three shots apiece, while Spitler, Herring and freshman midfielder Taylor Gaunt each had two attempts, respectively. The entire defensive unit, comprising Johnson, Miller, and sophomores Autumn Berry and Caitlin Hite played all 110 minutes, while sophomore middy Jenna Geist went the distance and logged a career-high in field time.
UNC Wilmington goalkeeper Carolyn Huddy made nine saves on the night for her third straight shutout.
The Pirates will return home for its final non-conference match of the season and host Campbell on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m., at Johnson Soccer Stadium.
