ECU Tops Seahawks In Overtime

Junior Jessica Swanson scored at the 96:06 mark to break a 1-all tie and lift East Carolina to a 2-1 overtime victory over UNCW in women’s collegiate soccer action Sunday at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.

The Pirates improved to 3-1 with the win while the Seahawks dropped to 1-3-1.

Swanson scored the decisive goal on a breakaway that occurred when senior keeper Amber Campbell’s kick deflected off a UNCW defender right to an oncoming Swanson, who beat senior Emily Pratt with a shot to the upper right side. UNCW had a chance to break the tie moments before Swanson’s goal, but a shot by freshman Sydney Rigsbee slid just past the right post and out of play.

UNCW took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute as freshman Kelly Dodd used a feed from senior Brittany Croce to get inside the box and beat Campbell with a shot to the lower right-hand corner. The goal was Dodd’s first collegiate tally.

The Pirates drew even just before halftime when freshman Leah Bagonis knocked home a loose ball in the box with 23 seconds remaining in opening frame. Freshman Amanda Malkiewicz and senior Nicole Moore were credited with assists on the play.

UNCW held a 14-6 advantage in shots in the contest while ECU posted a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Campbell made seven saves for the Pirates, while Pratt and freshman Chandler Follett combined to make three stops for the Seahawks.

Both teams return to action Friday. UNCW takes on Francis Marion at Noon in the opening game of the Mountaineer Invitational in Boone, N.C. while ECU squares off against Colonial Athletic Association-member Hofstra in a 5 p.m. kick off at the Penn Tournament. -Courtesy UNCW

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT