Pirates Journey West for Battle with App State

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina soccer staff heads again out on the highway for a contest with App State on Thursday afternoon in Boone. Opening kick is ready for 4 p.m. and the sport might be out there for streaming on ESPN+.
 
What’s at Stake
The Pirates will look to get again within the win column after a 1-1 consequence with UNCW final Thursday. Caitlen-Star Dolan Boodram’s purpose gave the staff a lead within the sport earlier than a ninetieth minute penalty allowed UNCW to steal a draw. Despite the frustration, the Pirates do enter the competition with App State on a two-game unbeaten streak which they’ll look to increase.

Scouting App State

The Mountaineers enter the sport with a 3-2-0 report after a pair of defeats in opposition to Clemson and William & Mary of their final two contests. Lest these be an indicator of their season, the staff had beforehand downed Davidson, Miami and an at all times stout Western Carolina facet. The staff is led in scoring by Ellie Garrison’s 4 targets within the first 5 video games, scoring the game-winning purpose in every of their three wins. In purpose, it has been Anna Claire Jacobi getting the vast majority of the run with a .767 save proportion and 23 saves on the 12 months.

Series History 

Despite their proximity, the Pirates and Mountaineers have solely met twice, again in 1996 and 1997, leading to a draw and an ECU win, respectively. The Pirates took that September 1997 assembly by a 1-0 rating in Greenville.

The Woman in Charge

After seven seasons as an assistant, Emily Buccilla takes the reins as head coach in 2025. She is the primary feminine head coach in program historical past.

Home Sweet Home 

The Pirates play their residence contests in probably the most lovely soccer services in Division I in Bill Clark Homes Field at Johnson Stadium. Recently outfitted with a brand new scoreboard and state-of-the-art LED lighting, the venue is a good place to observe a sport whether or not it is an early season matinee or a convention thriller below the lights. Pirate Nation has performed their a part of late, too. Five of the highest 10 attended video games in program historical past have come since head coach Emily Buccilla arrived in Greenville with three coming in simply the previous three seasons, together with the all-time report of 1,335 attendees when the Pirates hosted then-No. 2 Duke in 2022.