Pirates Prepare For Final Home Weekend

GREENVILLE, N.C. – With just two games remaining in the regular season, the ECU women's soccer team will try to finish the season strong and reach the postseason for the first time since 2015.

"As a coach you always want to have the chance to control your own fate and not leave it up to other results," said head coach Jason Hamilton. "It keeps the message to the ladies simple, win and move on, lose and the season is over."

Coming into the season, the Pirates were picked to finish in eighth in the AAC, with the top six squads reaching the conference tournament. But with an 8-5-2 overall record and a 3-4-0 conference mark, ECU currently sits in seventh in the AAC standings and holds its playoff fate in its own hands. With two wins in the final two games, the Pirates would not only clinch a playoff spot, but would also finish in fourth place, their highest ever finish in the AAC.

ECU's success has the Pirates ranked No. 74 in the NCAA's RPI rankings and they have consistently been ranked in the South Region by the United Soccer Coaches. ECU's RPI ranking is the highest in ten years, dating back to when the Pirates were ranked 42nd at the end of the 2008 season, and is nearly a 100-spot jump from the end of the 2017 season. It is also the fourth-highest ranking in the AAC, trailing just USF, Memphis and UCF. The Pirates are currently ranked No. 6 in the South Region by the United Soccer Coaches, the highest ranking of the season for ECU.

"I am proud of where our team is right now," Hamilton said. "Going through a coaching change is difficult. You have new players coming in, a new style and everything is just different. You could look at this season today and it has already been a success, but no one here wants that to end just yet."

Already this season, the eight wins overall and the three conference wins are the most for the Pirates since 2015. The Pirates will finish with a record over .500 for the first time since 2014 and for the 13th time in program history. With two more wins, ECU will reach double-digit victories for the 11th time. The majority of those wins have come at home, with the Pirates going 6-1-0 so far in Johnson Stadium. The six wins are the most at home since the 2012 season and ECU has a chance to tie the school record of eight home wins, set by both the 2007 and 1997 squads.

The Pirates have had to blend 16 newcomers with 13 returners this season and each group has contributed greatly to the team's success. Of the returners, Tori Riggs, Daria Draovitch, Jayda Hylton-Pelaia, Kim Sanford and Madie Knaggs all set new career highs in points while Courtney Cash racked up a double-digit point total for the third straight season. For the newcomers, Jenna Dages leads the team with six goals and 13 points, while Grace Doran, Morgan Dewey, Kat Gonzalez and Carsen Parker have all contributed multiple points. Parker, Lexi Moore and Addison Salz have all been a major part of an ECU defense that is allowing just 1.28 goals per game while Melanie Stiles is tied for second in the conference with four shutouts.

The last weekend of the regular season will get started on Friday night when ECU hosts Cincinnati at 7 p.m., in Johnson Stadium. Friday night will be Senior Night for the Pirates as Cash, Erin Bradley, Ashley Kendrot and Chentay Warnes will be honored. The regular season will come to a close on Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m., match against UConn. Fans can find ticket information here.

"We have a great group of seniors who contribute in each of their own ways," added Hamilton. "From points on the board to leadership to inspiration, they have all been able to bring something that has helped our team have the success we've had so far. Not only do we want to celebrate them this week, but we also want to help them achieve their best finish in the American Athletic Conference and get them to the conference tournament."

Players Mentioned

Erin Bradley

Courtney Cash

Jenna Dages

Morgan Dewey

Grace Doran

Daria Draovitch

Kat Gonzalez

Jayda Hylton-Pelaia

Ashley Kendrot

Madie Knaggs

Carsen Parker

Tori Riggs

Addison Salz

Kim Sanford

Melanie Stiles

Chentay Warnes

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