Spring Break
Soccer remains atop Conference USA
ECU SID
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Sports
The ECU soccer team maintained its first place ranking in Conference USA with a 2-0 victory over Southern Miss and a 1-1 tie at UCF over the weekend.
On Sunday, ECU's Alexis Foltz scored her third goal in conference play. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to ensure the team's fourth consecutive C-USA victory. UCF scored a late goal to salvage a 1-1 tie at the UCF Soccer Stadium. The Pirates move to 8-3-1 on the season and 3-0-1 in C-USA play.
The Knights outshot the Pirates 10-1 in the first half while also committing more fouls 5-4. Senior keeper Amber Campbell made one save during the stanza.
ECU came out more aggressively in the second half, shooting twice on net in the first five minutes. UCF had a golden opportunity in the 58th minute when it was awarded a penalty kick, but the shot sailed wide to preserve the scoreless tie. The Pirates took the advantage in the 68th minute when Foltz took a pass from freshman Leah Bagonis and put it top shelf above Reis to give ECU the 1-0 lead.
The game seemed destined for the 1-0 win for ECU but with 1:01 left in the match, Yvonne George found Lauren Halbert inside the 18-foot net and put the ball past Campbell from 11 yards out to send the match into overtime.
Although each squad had three attempts in the two overtime periods, no one could cash in, and the contest ended 1-1.
"This was a tough game," said Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth. "We had to battle for a 1-0 lead but we couldn't hold on. Our backs and Amber played tough and Alexis is scoring some big goals. It was a great team effort but you have to give credit to UCF for the game they played."
ECU's victory on Friday marked the first time the Pirates have won its first three C-USA contests, all of them on the road.
Junior Alexis Foltz came through in the 43rd minute, and with an assist from freshman Kimmy Cummings put it into the back of the net to give the Pirates a 1-0 advantage at halftime.
Senior Blair Heffner scored in her second straight game, this time in the 58th minute to give ECU the 2-0 lead. Freshman Jessica Woodward picked up the assist on the play. Southern Miss tried to jumpstart its offense late in the contest but came up short, thanks in large part to three saves from Campbell in the last 10 minutes.
Campbell turned in her sixth shutout of the season and third in C-USA play. The reigning C-USA Defensive Player-of-the-Week made five saves, and is now 19 behind Amy Horton for the ECU career lead.
"I thought we moved the ball well in the first half and Alexis finished a great cross from Kimmy," Donnenwirth said. "Our defensive pressure was very good in the second half and it helped us create our second goal."
ECU returns home for the first time in four matches on Friday, as it plays host to Tulsa in a C-USA contest. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside Bunting Field.
On Sunday, ECU's Alexis Foltz scored her third goal in conference play. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to ensure the team's fourth consecutive C-USA victory. UCF scored a late goal to salvage a 1-1 tie at the UCF Soccer Stadium. The Pirates move to 8-3-1 on the season and 3-0-1 in C-USA play.
The Knights outshot the Pirates 10-1 in the first half while also committing more fouls 5-4. Senior keeper Amber Campbell made one save during the stanza.
ECU came out more aggressively in the second half, shooting twice on net in the first five minutes. UCF had a golden opportunity in the 58th minute when it was awarded a penalty kick, but the shot sailed wide to preserve the scoreless tie. The Pirates took the advantage in the 68th minute when Foltz took a pass from freshman Leah Bagonis and put it top shelf above Reis to give ECU the 1-0 lead.
The game seemed destined for the 1-0 win for ECU but with 1:01 left in the match, Yvonne George found Lauren Halbert inside the 18-foot net and put the ball past Campbell from 11 yards out to send the match into overtime.
Although each squad had three attempts in the two overtime periods, no one could cash in, and the contest ended 1-1.
"This was a tough game," said Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth. "We had to battle for a 1-0 lead but we couldn't hold on. Our backs and Amber played tough and Alexis is scoring some big goals. It was a great team effort but you have to give credit to UCF for the game they played."
ECU's victory on Friday marked the first time the Pirates have won its first three C-USA contests, all of them on the road.
Junior Alexis Foltz came through in the 43rd minute, and with an assist from freshman Kimmy Cummings put it into the back of the net to give the Pirates a 1-0 advantage at halftime.
Senior Blair Heffner scored in her second straight game, this time in the 58th minute to give ECU the 2-0 lead. Freshman Jessica Woodward picked up the assist on the play. Southern Miss tried to jumpstart its offense late in the contest but came up short, thanks in large part to three saves from Campbell in the last 10 minutes.
Campbell turned in her sixth shutout of the season and third in C-USA play. The reigning C-USA Defensive Player-of-the-Week made five saves, and is now 19 behind Amy Horton for the ECU career lead.
"I thought we moved the ball well in the first half and Alexis finished a great cross from Kimmy," Donnenwirth said. "Our defensive pressure was very good in the second half and it helped us create our second goal."
ECU returns home for the first time in four matches on Friday, as it plays host to Tulsa in a C-USA contest. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside Bunting Field.
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