Hylton-Pelaia Leads Young Pirate Defense

GREENVILLE, N.C. – With seven newcomers joining three returners, the 2018 ECU soccer team's backline may be the deepest area of the team. Head coach Jason Hamilton will look to use the mix of experience and talent to help improve the Pirates' defense, which racked up five shutouts in 2017.

"We are very excited about the group of defenders we have this year," commented Hamilton. "There will be seven new defenders joining the three experienced returners. This is a young group, so we are excited to have them all for a few years. Having depth is a coach's dream. It allows our players to go out and compete every day in training to battle for starting positions."

The most experienced returning defender is Jayda Hylton-Pelaia who returns for her junior season. Hylton-Pelaia has started all 34 games in her first two seasons in Greenville, logging an impressive 3,005 minutes in that span. The Brampton, Ontario native became the first foreign player in program history when she made her debut in 2016 and has helped ECU to seven shutouts in her career. Hylton-Pelaia is one of two current Pirates to have earned American Conference Honors, being named to the American Conference All-Rookie team in 2016.

"Jayda has the potential to be the best outside back in the conference this year," said Hamilton. "She is a great athlete and is dangerous when she gets forward in the attack. Her experience will help develop the rest of this group."

Joining Hylton-Pelaia as returning defenders are sophomores Kim Sanford and Erin Mikalsen. Sanford made an immediate impact in her rookie campaign, starting all 18 matches and her 1,496 minutes played trailed only Hylton-Pelaia for the most on the team. Sanford, a product of
Philadelphia, Pa., tallied three points on the season, scoring a goal to go with an assist in a win against UNC Wilmington. Sanford was named AAC Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 18 after helping the Pirates blank UNC Wilmington 3-0 and tie Virginia 1-1.

"Kim started every game last season as a freshman and earned Defensive Player of the Week honors from the AAC," Hamilton said. "This past spring, Kim definitely grew as a player and started to develop as a leader on the team. She has the ability to be a fantastic center back as she continues to grow throughout her career."

Mikalsen was a valuable contributor for ECU last season, appearing in 17 matches with three of those being starts. She picked up an assist on the game-winning goal in the Pirates' 1-0 win over Campbell. Mikalsen gained valuable experience this summer as she represented the Jamaican National Team at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia.

"Another experienced returner, Erin played in 17 matches during her freshman campaign," said Hamilton. "With the depth we have in the backline, Erin may see the opportunity to move up the field into the midfield. This is the role she has played during her time with the Jamaican Youth National teams. Her natural ability to serve with her left foot gives us an option to get services in."

Joining the Pirates from Arkansas is sophomore Carsen Parker. Parker appeared in 14 games for the Razorbacks last year, starting eight of those games. The Cumming, Ga., native made seven of those starts in SEC play and helped contribute to seven Arkansas shutouts.

"Carsen is a player I recruited a few years back," Hamilton said. "She is a good athlete and a physical defender. She faced some of the best players in the country last year and was able to hold her own."

Arriving from Louisville is Morgan Dewey. Dewey played in 11 matches for the Cardinals, including nine ACC matches. She scored her first collegiate goal when she scored the game-winner against Southeast Missouri.

"Morgan was mostly used as a wide midfielder at Louisville but knowing her from when she was a club player we think she is more suited in the back line," said Hamilton. "Morgan has a very good presence and a strong left foot, and she has a very good ability to serve balls on set pieces."

Rounding out the transfers is Alexia Moore who moves from NC State to the Pirates. Moore will see a familiar face as she is a former teammate of current Pirate Tori Riggs. Moore appeared in four games at NC State, including in ACC matches against Syracuse and Notre Dame.

"Lexi is a very good athlete and can really play in any position out wide," said Hamilton. "Her natural tendency to go forward in the attack fits how we want to play, making her a dangerous option getting forward."

Four of the seven newcomers will be making their collegiate debuts this fall. Kennedy Temple arrives from J. L. Mann High School where she helped lead the Patriots to their first-ever state championship as well as being named Defensive Player of the Year on a pair of occasions. She also competed for the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy, serving as a team captain during her senior year.

"Kennedy is a very composed center back on the ball and comes from a team that likes to connect passes," Hamilton said. "That, along with her ability to win balls in the air, are two of the best traits to have as a center back. We are excited to see how she adjusts to the college game."

Lauren-Wheeler Hollis is a product of Creekside High School, which she helped win two district titles and a regional championship, as well as reaching the final of the state tournament for the first time. Her Florida Elite Soccer Academy ECNL team won its league four years running, from 2014 to 2017 and also won the 2015 Disney Showcase.

"Lauren is another player I recruited at a previous school, so I have known her for a few years and watched her develop as a player," added Hamilton. "Lauren has a level of physicality that most freshman do not bring to the college game."

Taylor Platt comes to Greenville from Downington High School where she was named the ChesMont League Player of the Year and earned Pennsylvania Soccer Coach Association All-State honors. She also earned a pair of first-team all-area and all-league accolades to go along with being named first-team All-Southeast Pa., after her senior season.

Another player that could see herself at multiple wide positions," Hamilton said. "Taylor is a player that will bring pace to the team, and at this level, that is much needed. She is an extremely hard worker which coaches love to see."

The fourth and final newcomer is Reilyn Gaglione, a native of Cary. Gaglione was named first-team all-conference and all-region as a senior captain for Cary High School. She also helped The TFCA '00 Alliance and NCFC '00 Elite Club win a pair of state championships as well as winning the Region III championship on three occasions.

"Reilyn has good size and athleticism," said Hamilton. "She is another physical outside back who will not be easily beat. Reilyn also likes to get forward in the attack, something we look for in out wide backs."

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

Morgan Dewey

Reilyn Gaglione

Jayda Hylton-Pelaia

Erin Mikalsen

Alexia Moore

Carsen Parker

Taylor Platt

Tori Riggs

Kim Sanford

Kennedy Temple

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