Gameday: Pirates Take On No. 25 USF

Game 14: ECU (7-4-2, 2-3-0) at USF (7-2-0, 2-1-0)
Date	Sunday, October 7
Time	1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Location	Tampa, Fla.(Corbett Stadium)
Information	Game Notes (PDF)
Coverage	Live Stats \| Watch
Social Media	Twitter: @ECUwsoccer Instagram: @ECUwsoccer Facebook: @ECUwsoccer

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Coming off a pair of conference wins, the ECU women's soccer team will take on No. 25 USF on Sunday afternoon in Tampa, Fla.

"USF will be a very tough game on a Sunday," said head coach Jason Hamilton. "They use a lot of players and have a lot of depth. From past experiences, I know how hard of a place it is to play. It's a big field and the fans make it a difficult environment."

ECU had struggled in overtime games for most of the season, going 0-2-2 in extra period games. However, on Thursday night, the Pirates flipped the script against UCF. ECU was trailing against the Knights with less than 15 minutes remaining before a goal from Madie Knaggs tied the game. Then Jenna Dages scored the game-winning goal less than 40 seconds into overtime to complete the comeback.

The Pirates have a 7-4-2 overall record and a 2-3-0 AAC mark. The seven wins are the most since winning eight games in 2015. ECU also has a chance to finish over. 500 for the first time since a 12-8-1 campaign in 2014. Dages now leads the team with 13 points on six goals and an assist. Her three game-winning goals are tied for second in the conference this season. ECU has seven players who have scored multiple goals this season and have 11 different goal scorers overall. In goal, Melanie Stiles has a goals against average of 1.19 and has three shutouts.

USF comes in to Sunday's match with a 7-2-0 record and is 2-1-0 in conference play. The Bulls are ranked No. 25 in Top Drawer Soccer's national rankings and will be the second ranked team ECU has played this season. USF is led by one of the top scorers in the country, as AAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Evelyne Viens has a conference-best 27 points on 12 goals and three assists. The Bulls have also been very stingy on the defensive end, allowing only seven goals in nine games, good for a 0.75 goals against average.

"Containing them defensively will be key in allowing us to be successful in this game," Hamilton said. "They are very good offensively and have some dynamic attacking players. We have to be aggressive and put them under pressure, not allowing them to dictate the game."

USF leads the all-time series between the two programs 5-2-1 and has won five straight in the series. Last season, ECU fell 2-1 at home despite a goal from Ashley Kendrot. The Pirates fell 2-1 in overtime the last time they traveled to Tampa, with Marianna Shurina scoring in that game. ECU is 0-3 all-time at USF, including a 3-0 loss in the 2014 AAC semifinals. It will be the second game of the season against a ranked opponent for ECU, the first being a 1-1 tie at then-No. 16 NC State.

"We have to do a good job of keeping our team focused," added Hamilton. "We can not get in the mindset that this trip already a success with the win on Thursday night. We know we need a couple more result and this is another opportunity to get one."

Kickoff for Sunday's match is scheduled for 1 p.m., in Corbett Stadium. Fans can stream the match here or follow live stats here.

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Dages

Ashley Kendrot

Madie Knaggs

Marianna Shurina

Melanie Stiles

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