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The plan was that the third time would be the charm for ECU as the Pirates took on their third top-10 opponent on the road at 9^th-ranked Wake Forest. After close losses to 5^th-ranked Texas and 6^th-ranked Florida, the Pirates thought they had the recipe for victory against the nation’s best. But, in the end, it was the same old recipe, close but not quite like mom’s. The Pirates matched the Demon Deacons blow for blow, save a 33^rd minute Wake tally, leaving ECU looking for that proverbial moral victory in a disappointing 1-0 loss.

(ECU SID)

Goalie Lindsi Troxler will

need to play big this week.

For the women, Wake Forest delivered more than a loss, they dished out a dose of cold reality.

“Our pre-match speech was that there are no more moral victories,” a disappointed Coach Rob Donnenwirth said. “After Texas, and especially Florida, the team was still buzzing after the game knowing that we played well and can compete versus a top-10 team. Against Wake Forest, we played a great game but we missed opportunities to tie or win the game. After the game it felt like a hard loss.”

It was sobering for a team that is very much alive in the hunt for the Conference-USA title and favorable tournament seating. Given the team’s slate this weekend – playing host to Saint Louis and DePaul – the end of the moral victories could not come at a better time for this team.

“We welcome a weekend home stand as travel does take a lot out of you,” Donnenwirth said. “We have a few bumps and bruises but every team is in the same boat this time of year. You will also see more fatigue in teams as this is right around mid-term exams.”

The team looked a bit tired in rebounding from the Wake loss with a 2-0 win over Elon. The attack was there, but the Pirates had trouble finishing and dragged a bit on the field, when a fresher team would have put the game away sooner and more decisively.

“We did a lot of good things versus Elon but we have been struggling finishing our chances,” Donnenwirth said. “We out-shot Elon 23-0 but only scored two. These are the chance we need to put away in conference play as you don’t get many opportunities to score.”

In visiting Saint Louis and DePaul, the Pirates face two of the league’s best teams. The opportunity is critical not only for the Pirates in terms of league placement, but also in terms of hedging bets for an at-large NCAA bid, should the season go the way the team expects it.

“This is a critical week for us,” Donnenwirth said. “I call it ‘pretender or contender week’ as the standings will begin to take form. We need to take care of business at home. After this weekend we have three away and one home game left. The team knows that this weekend is huge and they will be ready.

“At this point I feel our path to the NCAA’s will have to come from C-USA. Our strength of schedule is good but we didn’t get a win against the top teams we played.”

Despite the sluggishness and disappointment, the Pirates are showing signs that the brutal schedule has helped to develop the team for big games and talented opponents.

“Our backs were very good in both games,” Donnenwirth said. “They held Wake to eight shots and didn’t allow a shot versus Elon, which is unheard of. Wake’s lone goal game on a corner kick.”

A sweep this week by the Pirates would literally put them in control of their own destiny in terms of grabbing the league title and top seeding. A split or draws bode well, as well. If they get swept, the Pirates will be suddenly in crisis mode.

The men took on #7 Saint Louis and put a scare into the powerful Billikens team, but in the end, they once again came up short – 2-1 – in a bid to collect a much-needed Conference-USA victory. The Pirates, at 0-2-1 in league, desperately need to seize control of their own destiny.

(ECU SID)

Clyde Simms leads ECU

into the Louisville matchup.

Thus far, the team has shown an ability to play and play well in all phases of the game, but they have yet to consistently get it together, particularly in big games that they full-well have been in position to win, but failed.

Again, this past week, the Pirates dropped a 1-0 decision to interstate rival UNC-Wilmington. Again, the Pirates played well enough to win and again, they came up short. Though it was a disappointment to drop the two big games – made worse by both being winnable – the team is not down and out. They are more committed than ever to elevate this program. And the attitude is clearly coming from first-year skipper Michael Benn.

“Giving up one goal a game is not good enough,” he stressed. “We need to start shutting teams out. UNC-W is a great game for us no matter where it falls on the schedule. We have to be at our best to beat them and vice versa. It is the same for our C-USA games. If we are not at our best, things will be difficult.”

Between the lines, it is easy to read the not-so-subtle challenge Benn is laying down to his team. Like the women, moral victories carry no weight any longer. Winning is the only true measure at the end of the day and Benn wants his team to understand that.

“Saint Louis was a great game for us,” Benn assessed. “The boys stuck to the game plan and gave us a chance to win. We gave up a soft goal in the first half and you simply cannot do that against a team like Saint Louis. Again, I was happy with the fight the boys showed to battle back and tie the game, but we need to stop putting ourselves in a hole. I think the result was another affirmation that we can play with anybody.”

The schedule sees just one opponent this week, a game, unpredictable Louisville club. The game also presents the Pirates with an opportunity to turn its own fate. A win, and the jumbled league standings jumbler further. A loss, and the Pirates list closer to where they are expected each season.

“We are preparing for a good athletic team that is looking for some payback after last year’s match,” Benn said. “I think we match up well in the center of the midfield with any team in the conference. Clyde Simms and Reed Avren are our catalysts.”

The one goal losses eventually should begin to convert into draws an wins for the Pirates and in a league as tightly stacked as this one, it could happen sooner than later.

“Once you get into conference games, most games tighten up and scoring opportunities are less frequent,” Benn said. “We need to find a way to create and capitalize on one or two good chances a half. We also need to shut down our opponents from getting good looks.”

Simms and Avren and their teammates would certainly get things back on track with a win on Saturday night in Louisville.

On Wednesday, a UNC-Wilmington goal in the 31^st minute held up for the duration, giving the Seahawks a 1-0 win in the Down East rivalry series between the two teams. It was junior Kevin Shevlin who twined the game-winner for Wilmington (6-2-1), which won their 2^nd-straight game.

Shevlin scored on an assist from Adam Currey, breaking an evenly-played deadlock through the first 30 minutes of play.

In the defensive struggle, Wilmington got the best of the shots on goal tally, with a 9-4 advantage as goalie Brad Knighton collected his 4^th shutout of the season.

“UNC-W was a typical rivalry game,” Benn said. “Both teams battled hard and scoring chances are tough to come by. I thought we defended very well over the course of 90 minutes. We made one mistake coming out of the back and UNC-W capitalized on it. We had some chances and have to find a way to score in these tough matches.”

On Sunday, it was oh-so-close for ECU, struggling to seize the opportunity as 7^th-ranked Saint Louis edged the Pirates 2-1 in a huge C-USA matchup.

Billikens’ middie Cooper McKee tallied in the 86^th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock and help Saint Louis escape Bunting Field with a victory, extending SLU’s win-streak to six.

Saint Louis used a Vedad Ibisevic tally – his 6^th on the season – from Dan Guffey to take a 1-0 lead in the 25^th minute.

The Pirates responded in the 84^th minute when Robb Cann blistered a shot by Billiken keeper Martin Hutton to level the score. Cann’s shot was a blast from 25-yards out. The game-winner from McKee came on a exciting corner kick from John DiRaimondo. ECU keeper Brian Pope made a punch-clear, but it landed on the foot of McKee who volleyed right back into goal to give Saint Louis (7-1-2, 2-1-1 C-USA) victory.

The Pirates made a strong go of it, equaling Saint Louis in shots on goal at 7 apiece.

“We need to eliminate the small number of mistakes that we are making if we truly want to take the next step,” Benn said. “For the program, (the Saint Louis game) shows how far we have come. Our first two games versus Saint Louis finished 5-1 and 6-0, so we are making progress.”

“We are a little beat up right now, but I imagine that most teams are. You cannot concern yourself with what players you don't have. We have to prepare to win with the players we have available. We have a group of 25 good players and I have trust in all of their abilities.”

On Saturday, the Pirates travel to Kentucky to take on a strong Louisville (6-5-0, 2-2-0 C-USA) club which is coming off of back-to-back losses to Charlotte and DePaul following a stunning victory over Saint Louis.

The Cardinals boast the league scoring leader in Simon Bird (6 goals, 3 assists), a London product with not only a silver shot, but also great field command. In Ryan Pomeroy (3 goals, assist) and Marco Terminesi (2 goals, 3 assists), the Cardinals have plenty of feet to find net.

In the back, the team is led by all-everything defender Adrian Cann, a rarely beaten backliner who can punch hard into the attack. Goalie Brad Sokolowski (0.98 gaa and 26 saves) is one of the league’s better keepers.

“Louisville is a great team,” Benn said. “They have run into a little bad luck since Saint Louis (a 2-0 Louisville win). There best player was ineligible for the DePaul game due to card accumulation. They have a tough game mid-week against Ohio State, and you never know how you will come out of a game like that.”

ECU’s David Broyles will miss the Louisville game due to drawing a red card versus Saint Louis…Louisville dominated the player of the week honors last week with senior forward Simon Bird and senior defender Adrian Cann garnering Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively…3^rd-ranked UAB is seeing a disturbing trend. After going unbeaten in its first 8 outings – a best-ever start – the Blazers have now lost two-straight…Louisville continues its erratic play, having upset then-No. 3 Saint Louis just a couple of games back, followed by a loss to Charlotte and now DePaul, the first league win for the Blue Demons…When Luke Rojo converted a PK to down Louisville on Saturday, it sealed the third-straight win for the DePaul, as the Blue Demons are on a mini-streak…In defeating 3^rd-ranked UAB on Saturday, South Florida not only ended a two-game losing skid, the Bulls also knocked off its second top-20 opponent of the season following a 2-1 victory over then-16^th-ranked Furman…Once again, the Charlotte 49ers know when to elevate game, saving their best for in-league play, knocking off Louisville on Wednesday to improve to 3-1-0 in C-USA against a dismal 1-3-0 mark out of league…When Birmingham-Southern tallied a 2-1 win over 3^rd-ranked UAB on Wednesday, it marked the first time that the Panthers have gained over UAB in the last seven meetings between the two Birmingham, AL, schools…The league is 28-21-9 out of conference collectively, including a 6-2-3 mark against ranked, non-conference foes…

The following table lists the leading scorers in 2003 for Conference-USA through Monday, October 6:

Player

Team

Goals

Assists

Total

Points

BIRD, Simon	Louisville	7	3	17
GARDNER, Josh	Cincinnati	5	4	14
IBISEVIC, Vedad	Saint Louis	6	2	14
WEST, Hunter	South Florida	7	0	14
JOHN, Will	Saint Louis	4	5	13
KOHLMEYER, Blair	Marquette	5	2	12
KOWALESKI, Matt	East Carolina	5	2	12
METCALF, Andy	Memphis	5	2	12
JARUN, Omar	Memphis	5	1	11
LEE, Chris	Marquette	5	1	11
FRANKS, Floyd	Charlotte	3	4	10
MUPIER, Mira	Charlotte	5	0	10
PUSEK, Marin	UAB	3	4	10
ROJO, Luke	DePaul	4	2	10
DiRAIMONDO, John	Saint Louis	3	3	9
MONTEIRO, Jersun	UAB	3	3	9
O’BRIEN, Dayton	Memphis	4	1	9
De OLIVEIRA, Leandro	UAB	3	2	8
HELM, Drew	South Florida	2	4	8
PATRICK, Wiremu	Cincinnati	3	2	8
AVREN, Reed	East Carolina	0	7	7
LEWIS, Justin	Cincinnati	3	1	7
POMEROY, Ryan	Louisville	3	1	7
TERMINESI, Marco	Louisville	2	3	7
CASADONTE, J.R.	South Florida	3	0	6
DEUTSCH, Brian	East Carolina	3	0	6
RAYO, Jose	UAB	2	2	6

On Wednesday, the Pirates got another crack at a top-10 team in a road trip to 9^th-ranked Wake Forest. And, as was the case in the previous two games against 5^th-ranked Texas and 6^th-ranked Florida, the Pirates battled valiantly, but came away with a defeat.

Wake Forest (8-1-1) got a tally from reserve Meagan Mullin in the 33^rd minute to notch the only goal of the game, leading the Demon Deacons to the 1-0 victory.

Mullins tallied off a set play – a corner kick from Elizabeth Remy – controlling the service at the six-yard box and beat Lindsi Troxler for the goal.

In a tightly-contested game, the Pirates did have opportunities to level, though Wake held an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal.

On Sunday, the Pirates notched their sixth win of the season blanking Elon 2-0 at home on Bunting Field. The Pirates (6-4-2, 2-1-1 C-USA) dominated the action and tallied both scores in the first half.

The first goal came on a set play from a corner kick. Freshman Anastasia Nikas sent in a perfect ball and senior Penny Perrott headed the cross home in the 36^th minute. Nikas collected her 7^th assist on the season and Perrott tallied her 2^nd goal.

Sophomore Meghan McCallion finished on a pass from Allison Howell in the 37^th minute to add the insurance goal. The goal was McCallion’s 8^th and Howell’s assist marked her first collegiate point.

“Both teams have strong players – (Christie) Cigno and (Jamie) Perry for Saint Louis and (Julianne) Sitch for Depaul. We play a zonal defensive system so we don’t man-mark any player. However, in our zone we will pay special attention to certain players and we’ll have a better chance at double teaming them."

On Friday, Saint Louis (7-2-1, 3-1-0 C-USA) comes to Greenville carrying a two-game, out of conference win-streak, looking to keep pace with the upper tier of the league.

Saint Louis brings talent in all phases of the game, starting with scorers like Jamie Perry (3 goals, 5 assists) and Christie Cigno (5 goals, assist). Perry runs this team and she is adept at finding open shots and open teammates, like Dee Guempel (4 goals, 3 assists).

Backliners Anna Schuch (goal, 6 assists) and Courtney Hulcer (4 goals, assist) demonstrate the Billikens' ability to attack from the defensive third and goalie Amanda Martin (0.50 gaa & 16 saves) has given up only four goals in her 10 starts.

On Sunday, it doesn't get any easier for the Pirates as league scoring leader and all-everything star Julianne Sitch (9 goals, 3 assists) leads DePaul (9-3-0, 4-0-0 C-USA) - currently tops in the league standings - on to Bunting Field.

Sitch has dominated the league this season and she is surrounded by talented and motivated players, looking to keep their unblemished C-USA record intact.

Lauren Spacht (3 goals, 4 assists) is a reliable scoring threat as are Erin Walter (3 goals) and Erin DeBaene (2 goals, assist). Defensively, the Blue Demons boast a strong backline, anchored by senior Amber Prindle (goal, assist), junior Jennifer Heil (assist), and sophomore Amy Witt.

In the net, Lindsey Deason boasts a 0.65 goals against average with 60 saves and five shutouts.

With the win over Elon, the Pirates are currently undefeated (4-0-0) within the comfy confines of Bunting Field…Current league scoring leader Julianne Sitch became DePaul’s all-time points leader last week with a tally against Memphis. The goal pushed her to 41 career points and also helped gain the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week – her third time this season. Tulane’s Megan Morey – who has not given up a goal in her last 244 minutes of play – earned the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honor after posting a pair of shutout victories over ECU and Charlotte last week…What has happened to the 2002 champs, Charlotte? The 49ers fell again on Saturday, dropping to an unbelievable 1-9-1 on the season…On Friday, DePaul saw its 4-match win-streak come to an end in a highly-contested loss to a very talented Air Force team, 1-0. The Falcons’ goal, unfortunately, came on a DePaul own goal when Erin Davren saw a deflection go past her own keeper Lindsey Deason in the 55^th minute…Finding the going very tough in league, Southern Miss turned to an OOC contest to take out its frustration, beating up on Jackson State 9-0 on Friday. Freshman Carly Barkley recorded her first collegiate hat trick in the victory…TCU saw a 2-game win-streak end at the Stanford/Nike Invite in Palo Alto, CA. Loyola-Marymount tallied three second-half goals en route to a 3-0 victory in the tourney’s first round…South Florida saw 21^st-ranked Florida State ruin its 3-game win-streak on Wednesday as the Seminoles tied their own school-best, five-game win-streak with the victory over the Bulls…League-leading DePaul is just two victories short of tying its school record of 10 – set last season. At 8-0-2, DePaul is off to its best-ever start in its 8-year history…Saint Louis has perhaps one of the toughest defenses in the league, particularly at home in Hermann Stadium. Currently, the Billikens own a school-record, 465 minute consecutive shutout mark at home and will look to extend it on October 17^th, when the Louisville Cardinals come to town...Currently, DePaul is ranked 10^th in the Great Lakes region while UAB holds the 10^th slot in the Southeast Region…C-USA is currently 37-35-10 out of league…