East Carolina University
(18) USF
East Carolina Falls to No. 18 USF, 2-1
October 04, 2015 | Soccer
Box Score | Box Score 
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Junior forward Lana Spitler scored her sixth goal of the season in the final two minutes of regulation, but the East Carolina women's soccer team suffered a 2-1 loss to 18th-ranked USF in American Athletic Conference action Sunday afternoon at Johnson Soccer Stadium.
"I thought South Florida came out flying and we really didn't match it," Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth said. "We waited too long to try and get in the game. I'll give us credit for hanging in there and working out way back into it. We just need to get better."
USF (10-2-1, 3-1-0 AAC) used effective passing at all three levels of the field, placing pressure on ECU's midfield and back line from the opening kickoff. Just under five minutes into the match, Jordyn Listro lofted a cross into the box after goalkeeper Saundra Baron came out of position in an attempt to corral the ball, before the ball found the head of Brittany Raymond less than five yards out, where she redirected the ball high and into the back of the net for the first goal of the match.
East Carolina (7-6-1, 2-2-0 AAC) was able to move the ball forward on several occasions, but just as the Pirates built some momentum, the Bulls got another chance in the 35th minute when Sienna Brooks sent a cross into the box that found Ocean Parr with open space. Parr settled and then struck a shot to the right of Baron and into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 before the end of the half.
USF held a 12-2 advantage in total shots, including a 5-2 lead in shots on goal, along with a 2-1 edge in corner kicks at halftime.
The Bulls kept the pressure on for the majority of the second half, but were unable to push their lead any further. The Pirates were able to get some to possess the ball in the final third of the field for some time, but a several final passes didn't find their marks until the final two minutes of regulation when freshman Madeleine Watson made a run up the far side of the field. Watson dropped a pass onto the feet of Spitler who made a move around her defender and got off a shot to the left of goalkeeper Kat Elliott that hit the inside of the goalpost and rolled into the back of the net to cut ECU's deficit in half with 1:37 left on the game clock.
East Carolina put together one last scoring threat in those final 97 seconds, but USF thwarted the efforts and held on for the 2-1 victory.
The Bulls held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal and a 6-2 margin in corner kicks on the day, while Elliott made four saves to Baron's three.
East Carolina will begin a three-game road swing at reigning conference champion and nationally-ranked UConn on Thursday, Oct. 8. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., in Storrs, Conn.
