Thursday, September 20
Tulsa, Okla.
8:00 p.m.
East Carolina University
1
at
3
Tulsa
ECU Falls to Tulsa 3-1
September 20, 2018 | Soccer
TULSA, OK. – After an 11-day layoff, the ECU women's soccer team dropped its first American Conference game of the season, falling to Tulsa 3-1 on Thursday night.
"There are no excuses and our team knows that so I don't want anyone looking for them," said head coach Jason Hamilton. "We played with poor energy and Tulsa deserved the win. From the second the game began, they outworked us and brought way more energy."
Tulsa got on the scoreboard early on in the game. Addyson Guthrie sent a pass to Mia Darden, who was in behind the ECU defense. Darden, who was racing down the right side, was able to take a shot across her body and tuck it just inside the left post.
The Golden Hurricane added to its lead in the 57th minute. ECU could not clear the ball out of the Pirate box and Valiree Morris was able to slip the ball to Anna Williams, who scored into an open goal.
ECU continued to attack to get back into the game, but between the Tulsa defense and goalkeeper Mica Mackay, the Pirates could not break through. Mackay made five saves alone in the second half as ECU took 10 shots in the frame.
"We had chances which we knew we would, but did not capitalize," Hamilton said. "We talked about being opportunistic during conference play and we just didn't have anyone make plays. Tulsa was able to capitalize on some costly mistakes and that was the difference in the game."
Tulsa added a third goal in the 83rd minute to end any hope of a comeback. Darden scored her second goal of the game by pouncing on an errant ECU pass and then breaking in to score.
The Pirates got a consolation goal in the 86th minute. Jayda Hylton-Pelaia picked up a point in the third straight game when she scored from point-blank range on a bouncing ball in the Tulsa box. But the goal came too late for ECU to threaten the Tulsa lead.
ECU finished with an 18-13 edge in shots and took six corners to Tulsa's one. Melanie Stiles made a pair of stops for ECU while Mackay finished with nine saves.
"We will take responsibility for it as coaches," added Hamilton. "When we got the team back on Monday, the energy wasn't there. It's our job to prepare them and we failed."
The Pirates continue their road trip when they travel to Memphis on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
"There are no excuses and our team knows that so I don't want anyone looking for them," said head coach Jason Hamilton. "We played with poor energy and Tulsa deserved the win. From the second the game began, they outworked us and brought way more energy."
Tulsa got on the scoreboard early on in the game. Addyson Guthrie sent a pass to Mia Darden, who was in behind the ECU defense. Darden, who was racing down the right side, was able to take a shot across her body and tuck it just inside the left post.
The Golden Hurricane added to its lead in the 57th minute. ECU could not clear the ball out of the Pirate box and Valiree Morris was able to slip the ball to Anna Williams, who scored into an open goal.
ECU continued to attack to get back into the game, but between the Tulsa defense and goalkeeper Mica Mackay, the Pirates could not break through. Mackay made five saves alone in the second half as ECU took 10 shots in the frame.
"We had chances which we knew we would, but did not capitalize," Hamilton said. "We talked about being opportunistic during conference play and we just didn't have anyone make plays. Tulsa was able to capitalize on some costly mistakes and that was the difference in the game."
Tulsa added a third goal in the 83rd minute to end any hope of a comeback. Darden scored her second goal of the game by pouncing on an errant ECU pass and then breaking in to score.
The Pirates got a consolation goal in the 86th minute. Jayda Hylton-Pelaia picked up a point in the third straight game when she scored from point-blank range on a bouncing ball in the Tulsa box. But the goal came too late for ECU to threaten the Tulsa lead.
ECU finished with an 18-13 edge in shots and took six corners to Tulsa's one. Melanie Stiles made a pair of stops for ECU while Mackay finished with nine saves.
"We will take responsibility for it as coaches," added Hamilton. "When we got the team back on Monday, the energy wasn't there. It's our job to prepare them and we failed."
The Pirates continue their road trip when they travel to Memphis on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Defense
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
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