Women's Soccer Travels to Face Nationally Ranked Florida
September 10, 2003 | Soccer
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina women's soccer is coming off an impressive two game tournament weekend which saw the Lady Pirates (2-1-1) capture the Charlotte Classic championship with a win over in-state rival UNC Wilmington, 1-0, and a 1-1 double overtime tie with the Delaware Blue Hens.
Sophomore transfer Lindsi Troxler got her first start in goal as a Pirate. Troxler gave up just one goal in 200 minutes of play, collecting 11 saves and recorded her first collegiate shut out in the opening match against the Seahawks.
The Pirates placed four players on the all-tournament team in Penny Perrott, Rachelle Cabeceiras, Tina Rivera and Meghan McCallion. Perrot was named tournament MVP for her defensive performance.
"Overall we are happy that we won the Charlotte Classic," said head coach Rob Donnenwirth. "Penny (Perrott) had a great weekend and our midfield defending got a lot better throughout this week and the tournament, which was good to see. I think the effort is there, we just need to click better as a team. We need to work off the ball, run off the ball and our passing needs to be better. These are some things that we need to work on this week to help prepare for the Gators."
ECU is preparing this week to take on nationally ranked Florida Gators (No. 6) in a Friday night clash in Gainesville, Fla. The Gators (4-0) are the second top 10 team that the Pirates have faced in this young season. ECU lost the other match to then No. 9 Texas Longhorns, 5-3.
Crystal Frimpong, a senior forward, leads the Gators in goals (3) and points (7). Frimpong was named SEC Player of the week, and received honors when she was named to the Soccer America (Sept. 3) and Soccer Buzz Elite (Sept. 4) teams of the Week.
Florida comes into the match ranked among the top 10 in four major national polls: No. 6 in NSCAA, No. 8 in Soccer America, No. 7 in Soccer Buzz and No. 8 in Soccer Times.
"Friday night we are playing one of the premier programs in the country," said Donnenwirth. "Florida might be the most athletic team in the country. They are very fast, impressive, and they can attack in many different ways from the outside, the inside, and they can beat you with the ball over the top. Playing in Gainesville, there's going to be 1000 to 2000 fans watching. It should be a great atmosphere and an exciting game for us."
This marks the second contest between the two schools with the Gators holding a 1-0 record on a 7-0 win back in 1995.
Friday's match can be heard over the internet at www.GatorZone.com starting at 8 pm.
The Pirates' next match will be against Western Carolina on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. in Greenville, N.C., at Bunting Field.
