Gratz' Nets Game-Winner In 87th Minute To Lift ECU, 2-1
Seagrave Scores Second Career Goal

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Senior Chrissy Gratz netted her fourth career game-winning goal scoring in the 87th minute breaking a one-all tie and lifting East Carolina to a 2-1 victory over UNC Wilmington Sunday night at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.

The Pirates leveled their season mark at 4-4-0 with the win, while Seahawks moved to 5-3-1 overall as they saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.

Gratz tallied the decisive marker at the 86:59 mark of the contest, taking a cross from senior Rachel Fuller on the right side of the box before placing a shot on goal that was partly blocked by a UNCW defender before finding its way across the goal line. The game-winning goal, which came moments after the Seahawks had hit the crossbar, was Gratz' second tally of the season.

"This was a good road win tonight," said ECU Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth. "I thought we played a great first half and Stephanie [Seagrave] scored a good goal. UNCW put us under pressure in the second half, but the team kept fighting and Chrissy [Gratz] scored a huge goal to win it with less than four minutes to go."

Sophomore Stephanie Seagrave gave ECU a 1-0 lead at the 38:56 mark of the first half, heading home a ball played into the box by senior Katlin Povich for her second goal of the season.

Stephanie Rose drew the Seahawks level at one-all in the 68th minute, taking a feed from Kim Currie at midfield and racing down the right side before slotting a ball into the left side of the net for her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

UNCW held a 17-8 shot advantage in the contest, highlighted by a 12-4 edge in the second half. The Seahawks also posted a 6-2 margin in corner kicks taken.

Junior Christiane Cordero made four saves in goal for the Pirates, while Caitlin Hunter finished with three saves for the Seahawks.

The Pirates open Conference USA play this weekend at home when they play host to UTEP on Friday, Sept. 21 (7 p.m.) and Colorado College Sunday, Sept. 23 (12 noon).

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