Oct. 2, 2009

Gameday Central

GREENVILLE, N.C. - The East Carolina soccer team (6-2-2, 1-1 C-USA) hosts Conference USA action for the second consecutive weekend, beginning today with a 4 p.m. contest against Southern Miss (4-4-0, 0-2 C-USA).

Last Friday in the C-USA opener, ECU freshman Hali Oughton scored a goal at the 80:39 mark to defeat Rice 1-0. In Sunday's contest against Houston, the Cougars scored twice within the final 10 minutes to secure a 2-1 victory. Sophomore Amanda Malkiewicz scored the Pirates' goal 4:15 into the game.

Following today's action, East Carolina concludes the weekend hosting No. 21 UCF Sunday at 1 p.m. The Pirates will be looking for their first-ever victory over the nationally-ranked Knights. After Sunday, ECU has just two home games remaining, Oct. 23 against UAB and Oct. 25 facing Memphis.

Pieces of Eight
Facts to Know Before Gametime ...

The Pirates Against The Golden Eagles ...
East Carolina owns a 7-0-0 record against Southern Miss, outscoring the Golden Eagles 16-4. The teams have met every year, except for 2002, since ECU joined Conference USA in 2001. In six of the seven meetings, the Pirates have scored two goals. Four of the games have finished with 2-1 scores and two others had 2-0 outcomes.

Last year in Hattiesburg, Miss., the Pirates scored a goal in each half to earn a 2-0 victory. Alexis Foltz scored at 42:37 with an assist from Kimmy Cummings. Blair Heffner added the insurance goal at 57:22 with Jessica Woodward and Savanna Russo tallying assists.

We've Been Here Before ...
Sunday's 2-1 loss to Houston dropped East Carolina to 1-1 in Conference USA action. Since joining the league in 2001, the Pirates have started 2-0 in league play just twice, in 2001 and 2008. ECU has finished the opening weekend with a 1-1 mark in 2005 and 2007, with a 0-1-1 record in 2002 and 2006 and a 1- 0-1 mark in 2003 and 2004.

A First Time For Everything ...
In Friday's 1-0 victory over Rice, junior goalkeeper Jen Kurowicki played the entire contest for the first time in her career. The blanking marked her first ever shutout as she made a career-high six saves. She had not played in the Pirates' three games leading up to the Rice contest.

Malkiewicz Drives The ECU Offense ...
Last weekend, East Carolina scored two goals with Malkiewicz having a hand in both. Friday she had the assist on Oughton's game-winning goal when her pass from a corner kick found Oughton near the back post.

Sunday Malkiewicz scored ECU's only goal against Houston at the 4:15 mark. The goal was her fourth of the year, tying her total from her freshman season.

Malkiewicz has now collected at least one point in the team's past three games.

Oughton's First Goal ...
Friday against Rice, Oughton scored the game-winning goal in the 80th minute, lifting East Carolina to the 1-0 victory. The goal was the first in Oughton's career. She became the first Pirate freshman to have her initial goal be a game-winner since Malkiewicz, who had the assist on Oughton's goal.

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