Women's Soccer to Kick off Against Old Dominion
August 24, 2006 | Soccer
Aug. 24, 2006
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The East Carolina Women's soccer team will play their first game of the 2006 season on the road against Old Dominion University Friday, Aug. 25 at 8:30 in Norfolk, Va. After dropping their lone scrimmage against Longwood (2-1), the Pirates hope to get off on the right-foot with a win against a non-conference opponent.
Last season, ECU (8-12-1) struggled on the road, winning three of nine games. The 2006 schedule for the Pirates is heavy on road games early and it is important for the Pirates to play up to their ability right out of the gate. After traveling to Old Dominion, the following two games against Campbell (Aug. 28), and Western Carolina (Sept. 1) will be on the road. After the Lady Pirates come home on Sept. 3 to play Charlotte, they will then compete in the N.C State tournament in Raleigh, N.C., facing off against American and Georgia State.
This season, ECU will welcome 13 newcomers to the squad, hoping to bring fresh legs to their up-tempo style of play. They have seven returning starters, while they lost seven including all-time points leader and goal scorer Meghan McCallion.
Old Dominion finished fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association last season after winning 12 games. This season they expect similar success, returning seven of their starters. One challenge ODU will have to overcome is the loss of the teams leading scorer and the leagues Player-of-the-Year Laura Beeman.
"Old Dominion and ECU have always had tough competitive games against one another," said Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth. "They are a very physical team and we really need to stay on our toes to compete with them."
