The Pirates are sailing into the Memphis Michael Rose SoccerComplex Friday, but instead of planning to loot the area of itstreasures, East Carolina will be looking to further loot the TigerC-USA record.
Both teams have a losing conference record and Memphismidfielder Dayton O'Brien said it will come down to who wants itmore when the match takes place Friday at 5:30 p.m.
"The record doesn't speak for the play," said O'Brien, referringto their last conference experience, a loss to Louisville. "We're0-1 in the conference and we need a home win under our belt."
In last year's meeting between the Tigers and ECU, O'Brienassisted on the game-winning goal in the 100th minute of thelengthy battle.
O'Brien's experience as a freshman with the Pirate's players andmethods are also following the team into the MRSC.
"They're a good defensive team," said O'Brien. "We shouldn'thave a problem creating changes in offense, though. I don't thinkwe'll have much trouble."
In their last encounter, the Tigers battered down ECU in a toughovertime battle on the Pirate's home turf amidst rainy weather.
All together, the teams attempted 38 goal-kicks during theentirety of the game, but the goal keepers managed to keep up witheach teams' exhausting onslaught.
Plays like that are why Memphis coach Richie Grant is taking thePirates very seriously.
"I have respect for the conference," said Grant. "Every teamplays it to win it. There's no doubt this game will play a big partof the whole (season)."
Veteran Memphis goal keeper, Clark Talley, made 5 saves duringlast year's fray.
His experience and toned-up skills are returning to the nextconfrontation alongside a nationally recognized offense and animproved defense.
"All the credit goes to the defense," said O'Brien. "It was avast improvement this weekend (in Evansville). You wouldn't thinkit was the same team."
ECU managed an exhausting defense last year with their goalkeeper, RJ Marvinney, but with Marvinney graduated, the Tigers hopeto capitalize on an experience-lacking defense.
The key to offense for the Pirates may lie in the hands ofjunior midfielder, Matt Kowaleski, who's off to a blazng start with5 points already in his 2003 campaign. Kowaleski also earned theC-USA offensive player of the week for the period ending Sep. 14,ensuring that Memphis' key players will be equally matched.
"Our defense was the best part of our game last weekend," saidGrant. "We conceded only one goal last weekend. Our defense willmake it difficult for any team to beat us."
ECU's C-USA record of 0-2 shines a little dimmer than Memphis'record of 0-1. Either way, for both teams, the game is critical instaying in the competitive run with the conference.
"You've seen us attack but not complement with a good defense,"said Grant. "And you've seen us defend but not complement with agood attack. We'll be a great team when we get it right."
