ECU soccer earns split decisions in conference games

East Carolina University’s (4-6-1, 1-1-0 AAC) women’s soccer team went all out during its game against Temple University (3-5-3, 1-1-0 AAC), but ultimately lost in overtime 1-0.

After playing 95 minutes full of shots on both ends, Temple was able to break free from the standstill when Gabriela Johnson received a pass from Julia Dolan and scored in the 96th minute.

"This wasn't ever going to be a pretty game, but Temple executed in overtime and took advantage of us not being focused and the fatigue led to some mental errors," head coach Jason Hamilton said.

There were multiple attempts at the goal taken by both teams. Before the final shot, ECU and Temple both took five unsuccessful shots, three of which were attempted within the final 15 minutes by each team.

ECU has struggled through injuries this season, but Hamilton said, "This is the one game we had more depth than our opponent as they are dealing with injuries as bad as we are. Sunday games are all about outworking your opponent and you have to give credit because Temple outworked us in that game."

The Pirates will head into the bye week with a 1-1-0 @American_WSoc record after falling to Temple in overtime on Sunday. #GoPirates☠️ pic.twitter.com/91vps5jbTJ

— ECU Soccer (@ECUSoc) September 29, 2019

Despite a hard-fought overtime loss against Temple, the Pirates were able to defeat the University of Connecticut (4-5-1, 0-2-0 AAC) last Thursday by a score of 1-0.

The Pirates’ lone goal of the game, and the only score in the match, came off the leg of senior forward/defender Daria Draovitch in the 28th minute off a corner kick. With ECU holding the edge at halftime, Connecticut attempted a heated comeback effort in the waning minutes of the match.

In the final half of the contest, the Huskies took nine shots and four corner kicks on goal to the Pirates’ three shots and one corner kick.

“In the second half, I thought we showed much physicality and that’s what you need to be able to hold off a team and protect a lead,” Hamilton said.

Without a game-tying goal, from the Huskies, ECU took the match despite being out-shot 15-7 by Connecticut. That included a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks and included multiple shots on goal late in the game.

“Leading up to this game, we talked about believing in ourselves and knowing we are capable of winning game,” Hamilton added. “We challenged players to step up and fill the shoes of the players we are missing. It was a great team win tonight.”

The Pirates will be back in action on Oct. 10 when they take on the University of Tulsa (6-6-0, 0-2-0 AAC) in Greenville, North Carolina. Opening kick is slated for 7 p.m. inside Johnson Stadium.