Women's Soccer Starts Second Stretch of Conference Play
October 09, 2003 | Soccer
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina women's soccer team is preparing for its final push in hopes of claiming its first regular season conference title in its 10 year history.
The Pirates (6-4-2, 2-1-1) are getting ready to face two of the top three leaders in Conference USA, when Saint Louis (8-2-1, 3-1-0) and DePaul (9-3-0, 4-0-0) travel to Bunting Field for a pair of crucial conference games this weekend.
The Billikens are currently in a four way tie for third place, and one game ahead of ECU in C-USA play. They are led by junior forward Jamie Perry, who has collected three goals, six assists, and sophomore Christie Cigno, who leads the team with five goals.
Undefeated in conference play, the Blue Demons are lead by sophomore Julianne Stitch, who leads the conference in goals (9), points (21), shots (61), game-winning goals (5) and is a two-time Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week honoree.
ECU will look to continue its solid defensive play at home. The Pirates are 4-0 at Bunting Field and have recorded four shutouts, behind the play of defenders Penny Perrott, Tina Rivera, Megan Schwanke, and goalkeeper Lindsi Troxler.
Sophomore forward Meghan McCallion, has lead the Pirates offense posting eight goals, which ranks second-best in C-USA. Freshman Anastasia Nikas leads the Pirates and the conference with seven assists.
"This weekends games are very important for us to make the playoffs," said ECU head coach Rob Donnenwirth. "For us to get to the next level, we have to beat the best teams in and out of our conference. DePaul and Saint Louis are two of those schools."
The Pirates will take on Saint Louis this Friday, Oct. 10 at 3 p.m., and DePaul on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1p.m.
