Box Score Freshman midfielder Jesse Ayers scored her first game-winning goal in the 13th minute as Colorado College began its Conference USA schedule with a 2-0 victory over East Carolina University on Friday afternoon at Stewart Field.

The Tigers won their conference opener for the fourth time in six seasons and improved to 3-4-2 overall. Colorado College is now 3-1-2 over its last six games.

Ayers struck for the only goal CC would need when she raced by the Pirate defense on the left side to collect a pass from fellow freshman midfielder Kaeli Vandersluis. Then she slipped a low shot past ECU goalkeeper Christiane Cordero's feet into the right side of the net.

“When Kaeli got the ball out wide, I knew I had to get forward real quick,” Ayers said. “We've been working on slipping balls through all week long. It came really naturally. I just wanted to keep the shot low and tight. That's the hardest place for a goalie to get it … right by their feet.”

CC doubled its lead with a little more than 15 minutes remaining in the first half when sophomore midfielder Madison Whitehead sent a missile from 20 yards out at the top of the penalty area past the diving keeper at the right post.

“We were very, very good in the first half,” head coach Geoff Bennett said. “We were good on the ball and dynamic going forward. And that's a very difficult team to go forward against. We did that very well.”

From that point on, the Tigers relied on their stingy defense to secure the victory.

Junior goalkeeper Hanna Berglund stopped five shots en route to her third shutout of the season. She now has gone 182:26 without allowing a goal and posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time in her career.

The Pirate's best scoring chance occurred in the 68th minute when Leah Bagonis launched a shot from 15 yards out in front of the right post. Berglund slowed the shot down and sophomore defender Sarah Haizlip cleared the ball at the goal line.

Since dropping a 4-1 decision against North Carolina State on Sept. 4, CC has allowed only one goal in its last three contests.

“Our back line has looked great and Hanna Berglund is turning in good performances,” Bennett said. “She's getting more comfortable and getting more confident. We just have to keep moving along. We're going to show up tomorrow and tell the players we are 0-0 and we have another opener on Sunday.

ECU finished with a 13-12 edge in total shots, while the Tigers recorded a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Cordero made five saves for East Carolina, which slipped to 5-2-1 overall after losing for the first time since its season opener.

Colorado College will try to maintain a share of the conference lead when  it plays host to Marshall University on Sunday.