Pirate Goalkeepers Prepare For 2018 Season

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The goalkeeper is the last line of defense and in head coach Jason Hamilton's debut season, the ECU soccer team will have three talented options to play the position. The Pirates bring back one returner and add two highly-regarded newcomers who will vie for the starting spot in goal.

"This is a very important position for us in order to have a successful season," said Hamilton. "We are excited about the trio that we have here for the fall. We anticipate them to come in and push each other to get better on a daily basis. It is a unique position because, with a field player, if we lose two players at certain position you can train another field player to give you depth there. With goalkeepers you do not have that luxury so all three of them need to be prepared to play at all times."

Returning for her senior season is Erin Bradley. Bradley will be changing positions this season after playing eight games in the field for the Pirates during her first three campaigns. However, she gained valuable experience during the spring season manning the net during ECU's seven spring matches. Bradley is one of just three seniors on the team, joining classmates Courtney Cash and Chentay Warnes.

"Erin was the only goalkeeper on the roster this past spring and earned valuable experience in goal for us as we played a variety of very good competition," Hamilton said. "She is hard working, competitive and well respected by the team, which are great qualities you want to see from a keeper. Erin knows how we want the team to play, which is also very important."

Joining the team from Clemson is Melanie Stiles. Stiles saw her first collegiate action during the 2017 season and did not allow a goal in over 200 minutes of play. She was the opening day starter for the Tigers and made three saves to complete a 4-0 shutout win over SIUE. During her next outing, she added three more saves and another clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Indiana. In her final appearance, the Bowie, Md., product combined with teammate Sandy MacIver to blank UNC Greensboro 4-0, with Stiles forced into one save.

"Mel is joining us from Clemson, which is a great environment to be coming from," commented Hamilton. "She started for them at the beginning of the season last year, so she has had a taste of being a starter. I think she will come in hungry and eager to compete for that starting role. Mel is a very good shot stopper, good communicator and good with her feet."

Rounding out the trio is freshman Hayleigh Pack. Pack comes to Greenville after competing at a high level for Millbrook High School and NC Courage DA. During her three seasons at Millbrook, Pack broke the single-season record for shutouts with 10 during her sophomore season, before following that with seven shutouts and earning the team's defensive MVP award as a junior. She continued her strong play during the club season, culminating in helping to win the 2016 ODP National Championship. She was also invited to the 2014 and 2015 US Market Training Centers as well as the 2014 US id2 Training Camp.

"Hayleigh is coming from a great youth environment in the NC Courage DA," Hamilton added. "There are not a lot of clubs out there that have as quality of a Goalkeeping Director as Nathan Thackery. I know the level she was trained, the effort she put in to improving and the teaching environment she is coming from will have her ready for the college game. Hayleigh is also good with her feet, allowing us to play out of the back."

The Pirates will make their debut under coach Hamilton Aug. 7 when they host VCU for an exhibition match. The regular season will get underway Aug. 17 with a trip to Old Dominion.

Players Mentioned

Erin Bradley

Courtney Cash

Hayleigh Pack

Melanie Stiles

Chentay Warnes

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