Pirates Tame Cougars For Third-Straight C-USA Win, 2-0

Butler And Malkiewicz Score Goals, Cordero Post Fifth Shutout

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Caty Butler and Amanda Malkiewicz each netted goals and Christiane Cordero posted her fifth shutout of the season as East Carolina (9-6-1, 4-5-0) captured its third-straight Conference USA win over the season defeating Houston (6-11-1, 3-6-1), 2-0, Sunday afternoon at the ECU Soccer Stadium.

In a game that was dominated from the start by the Pirates, Butler staked ECU to an early 1-0 lead blasting a free kick from 21 yards out past George Sydney for her eighth goal of the season and second game-winning strike. During the first 45 minutes of play, ECU outshot Houston 12-2.

Malkiewicz put the Pirates up 2-0 in the 54th minute scoring her sixth goal of the season and 23rd of her career. Kimmy Cummings sent a pass inside the box where Malkiewicz fired a shot toward the upper left corner of the goal at the 53:41 mark. For Cummings it was her fourth assist of the season and team-leading 20th point. In the second half, ECU continued to apply pressure as they posted 10 shots to Houston’s three.

Overall, the Pirates recorded a season-high 22 shouts (11 on goal) to the Cougars five (three on goal). Houston held a slim 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Cordero was stellar in goal recording three saves in 90 minutes of play for her ninth win of the year and seventh career shutout. Sydney stopped nine of 11 shots on goal for the Cougars and suffered her fourth setback of the year.

Butler recorded a career-best and game-high six shots on the afternoon (three on goal), while Cummings added five (three on goal) and Malkiewicz logged four (three on goal). Sami Sackos had a Cougar-best three shots on the day.

 The Pirates will be back in action on Thursday, Oct. 27 when the play host to Marshall on Senior Night. Along with Cummings and Malkiewicz, the Pirates will recognize Jessica Abshire, Leah Bagonis, Kendall Booth, Rachel Fuller, Stephanie Shaw and Amanda Windsor prior to the 7 p.m. (ET) start.