Gameday: Pirates Welcome SMU For Sunday Match

Game 12: SMU (8-2-1, 3-0-0) at ECU (5-4-2, 0-3-0)
Date	Sunday, September 30
Time	1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Location	Greenville, N.C. (Johnson Stadium)
Coverage	Live Stats \| Watch
Promotions	Tickets \| Promotions
Social Media	Twitter: @ECUwsoccer Instagram: @ECUwsoccer Facebook: @ECUwsoccer

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Still looking for the first conference win of the season, the ECU women's soccer team will host SMU on Sunday afternoon in Johnson Stadium.

"SMU will be a tough challenge for us at home," said head coach Jason Hamilton. "Right now, they are averaging three goals per game in conference and we are giving up just under that. We need to recommit to defending and get back to where we were in non-conference, allowing less than a goal per game."

ECU (5-4-2, 0-3-0) has had back-to-back overtime losses. Last time out, the Pirates hosted Houston and fell 3-2 in double overtime. ECU took a 2-0 lead on goals by Jenna Dages and Daria Draovitch, but Houston used a frantic comeback to send the game to overtime and win in the extra period. It was the first overtime loss at home for ECU since falling to Tulsa on Oct. 23, 2015.

With her goal against Houston, Dages tied Courtney Cash for the team lead in both points and goals. The pair each have five goals and an assist for 11 points apiece. It is the first time ECU has had a pair of teammates with double digit point totals since Lana Spitler and Cash had 19 and 13 points, respectively, during the 2016 season.

"We've scored in all three conference games," Hamilton said. "One goal should be all it takes to win the game if you are more committed defensively."

SMU comes in with an 8-2-1 overall record and leading the conference with a 3-0-0 American mark. The Mustangs have outscored conference opponents 9-1 and are coming off a 3-0 win at Cincinnati. Three SMU players have double digit points, led by Allie Thornton who has 14 points on seven goals. Celiana Torres has five goals and four assists while Courtney Sebazco has found the back of the net six times and has one assist. In goal, Catie Brown has started 10 of SMU's 11 games and has a 0.49 goals against average and has a 7-0-1 record.

SMU leads the all-time series between the two programs 7-4-2. The Mustangs have won three straight in the series, including a 1-0 win last season. ECU is 2-1-1 all-time at home against SMU, but has not hosted the Mustangs since 2014 as the 2016 scheduled home game had to be moved to Raleigh due to the aftereffects of Hurricane Matthew.

"Overtime losses can take a lot out of you," Hamilton added. "We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have to forget the last two games and get ready for this one. Although the score line might not show it, SMU is coming off a tough game and we have to bring the energy like we did last Saturday."

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., on Sunday afternoon in Johnson Stadium. Fans can receive free admission to the match by bringing an item to support the East Carolina Undaunted Hurricane Florence Food Drive. More information can be found here. Fans can buy tickets here.

Players Mentioned

Courtney Cash

Jenna Dages

Daria Draovitch

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