University of Houston
East Carolina
Houston Falls 1-0 to East Carolina
9/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 28, 2008
Houston vs East Carolina Box Score 
HOUSTON --The University of Houston soccer team dropped a tough 1-0 match against Conference USA-rival East Carolina on Sunday at Robertson Stadium.
Houston (4-5-0) controlled much of the possession and played a more aggressive match offensively, outshooting the Pirates by a 12-8 margin - with five shots on goal - but could not find the back of the net.
"I thought this was the best we have played in the past four or five games," head coach Susan Bush said. "We need to find a way to score goals. We have been outplaying and outshooting our opponents but we have struggled finishing.
"That is the one missing ingredient we have this season, that player who can put the ball away in the offensive third."
It was the Cougars' fourth-straight, one-goal loss since the team's season-long, four-game winning streak. Houston has battled injuries all season, forcing several lineup changes, including in the team's backline.
Sophomores Lauri Byrne, Jessica Rathweg and Stephanie Booker teamed up with freshman Stephanie Derieg in the back for the Cougars and all helped solidify the defense. They tightened up in the first half, allowing East Carolina only one shot as the Pirates never really threatened offensively in the first 45 minutes of play.
"I thought they especially played very well today," Bush said. "They really shut them down in the first half. We were able to send Byrne and Derieg up on the attack and really put pressure on East Carolina."
Senior goalkeeper Shelby Scott also played well for the Cougars, coming off her line to disrupt several Pirate counter attacks and recording a save.
Junior Kaitlin Thulin led the team with three shots while freshman Jessica Zavalza added a pair of shots.
The Cougars return to action next weekend, closing out the team's five-game home stand against C-USA foes Tulsa and SMU at Robertson Stadium on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
