Pirates Fight Back In 1-1 Draw At Old Dominion

Friday, August 17

Norfolk, Va.

7:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

Old Dominion

Photo by: Rob Goldberg

August 17, 2018 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Norfolk, Va. – Trailing early and down a player, the ECU women's soccer team was able to fight back and earn a 1-1 tie at Old Dominion on Friday night to start the season.

"I don't think I've ever been more proud of any team that I've coached," said head coach Jason Hamilton. "To play 105 minutes down a player and battle back from a goal down is something amazing."

It did not take long for Old Dominion (0-0-1) to take the lead. Just six minutes into the game, Kira Laurento collected a pass from Emma Gervase 25 yards from the ECU goal. Laurento took advantage of the space and took a low flying shot. Although ECU goalkeeper Melanie Stiles got a hand to the shot, it was not enough to keep it out of the lower right corner.

The start got even worse for ECU (0-0-1) when Kim Sanford was shown a red card in the 15th minute, leaving the Pirates one player down for the rest of the match.

The Monarchs pushed forward with the numbers advantage, trying to add to their lead. They came closest in the 24th minute when Natalie Johnson found space in the ECU box and ripped a shot. But Stiles made a diving save to keep it out and keep the lead at just one goal.

At halftime, Hamilton and his staff were able to make adjustments and they immediately paid dividends. Just a minute into the second stanza, Jenna Dages got in behind the Old Dominion defense and forced Old Dominion goalkeeper Erin Davidson into a save from close range.

Two minutes later, ECU broke through and tied the game. Daria Draovitch carried the ball down the right wing and crossed into the box. Tori Riggs was first to it and her header beat Davidson and tied the game at one.

"All week we talk to our players about adjusting to the game and to what the game calls for," Hamilton said. "Down a player, we had to be a little more direct and when we were, we were more dangerous."

The momentum now on their side, the Pirates looked to strike again and take the lead. Courtney Cash created a pair of chances that came close. First, she beat a defender down the left side and raced into the box, but her shot was saved by Davidson. A few minutes later, Cash once again corralled the ball in the Old Dominion box. This time, the Old Dominion defender tripped up Cash as she made her move and the referee signaled for an ECU penalty kick. Grace Doran stepped up to take the spot kick, but her attempt skipped just wide of the left post.

Neither team could break the tie before the 90 minutes was up and so the game went to overtime. In the first 10 minute session, Old Dominion had the marquee chance, with a ball over the top finding Iris Achterhof in the ECU box, but her shot sailed over the goal.

Old Dominion was on the offensive most of the final overtime and the Monarchs played a few dangerous set pieces into the ECU box, but Stiles and the Pirate defense repeatedly cleared the ball from danger to keep the score knotted at one and close out the draw.

"We were never going to play this game for a tie and in the end, we made the opponent adjust to us," added Hamilton. "This is the type of adversity that will create a very good team in the end."

Old Dominion finished with a 19-11 advantage in shots while ECU had a 7-3 edge in corner kicks. Stiles finished with three saves in her Pirate debut while Davidson had five stops for the Monarchs.

ECU will return to Greenville for the 2018 home opener against Radford. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m., on Sunday evening in Johnson Stadium.