Lady Pirates Take on Nationally Ranked Texas In Season Opener
August 27, 2003 | Soccer
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina women's soccer team has spent the better half of the summer in preparation for their first game of the season, which opens this Friday night against nationally ranked Texas at 7:30 p.m. in Cary, N.C., at SAS Stadium.
The Pirates (11-6-4, 5-2-3 C-USA) got off to a great preseason when they defeated Old Dominion, 5-0, in an exhibition match on Aug. 20. Since then, head coach Rob Donnenwirth has seen the intensity of this team's practice sessions rise to a different level.
"The most positive thing that we've been seeing is how hard the team is training and how consistent they have been," said Donnenwirth. "I think one reason this is happening is because there is a lot of competition for spots."
Since the exhibition game, Donnenwirth has been able to nail down his backfield, an area of the team that will face some big challenges against Texas and its speed. Getting the start at the goalkeeper position will be sophomore Lauren Church who recorded two saves and allowed no goals in 45 minutes against ODU in the exhibition match.
Preseason All C-USA defender Penney Perrott will lead an experienced backfield that returns all its starters from last season. Seniors Tina Rivera and Mindy Nixon along with junior Megan Schwanke round out the starting backfield.
"I know that they (Texas) are very relentless and very good in the box. They have tons of speed and they try to take advantage of that. We have to make sure we keep them in front of us and not let them get behind us. That means our backs will have to be smart and know when to drop off and not let balls be played over the top."
The forward and midfield positions are still up for grabs as nine Lady Pirates are vying for six spots and Donnenwirth has not set a timetable on a concrete starting line-up.
"I think the line-up will probably change throughout the season quite a bit. It will depend on who we play and what type of system we will run, whether it is a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3."
Another challenge that faces Donnenwirth and his team is that of playing in a large stadium. SAS Stadium is the home of the WUSA's Carolina Courage and also the site for the 2003 Women's College Cup (Final Four), seats 7,000, and is located on a 125-acre lot.
"This Sunday, we went to Cary and practiced at SAS Stadium. We wanted the team to get somewhat familiar with the stadium so that when game time was here, they would not be distracted on how big the place was and could concentrate solely on Texas. And I think it has worked out well for us so far. I have seen a new spark in their eyes and I can tell that they are ready to play."
Texas comes into the season trying to make consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and is led by a pair of 2002 NSCAA All-Americans in Kati McBain and Kelly Wilson. The Longhorns are ranked among the top 10 in three major national polls entering the 2003 regular season: No. 9 in NSCAA, No. 5 in Soccer America and No. 4 in Soccer Buzz.
Friday's match marks the first contest between the two schools and the first time since 1999 that the Pirates have faced a non-conference nationally ranked team. During that season, the first under Donnenwirth, the Pirates defeated No. 19 Richmond 1-0 and fell to Wake Forest 2-0.
Tickets for Friday's match are $2 for children and $5 for adults, and can be puchased at SAS Stadium.
The Pirates' next match will be against Liberty on Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. in Greenville, N.C., at Bunting Field.
