Gameday: Pirates Host VCU In Exhibition

Exhibition: VCU (16-4-0 in 2018) at ECU (10-6-3 in 2018)
Date	Friday, August 16
Time	7:00 p.m. (EDT)
Location	Greenville, N.C. (Johnson Stadium)
Coverage	Live Stats
Social Media	Twitter: @ECUwsoccer Instagram: @ECUwsoccer Facebook: @ECUwsoccer

GREENVILLE, N.C. – After just 10 days of practice, the ECU women's soccer team will its get first chance to test itself against an opponent when the Pirates host VCU in a Friday night exhibition.

ECU had a bounce back campaign in 2018, racing to a 10-6-3 record and a spot in the American Championship Semifinals. In his second season in charge, head coach Jason Hamilton has brought in 10 newcomers to team with 19 returners from last season. ECU was picked to finish in fifth in the conference in the coaches' preseason poll while Jayda Hylton-Pelaia was chosen as the league's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year as well as being named to the Preseason All-Conference team. Along with Hylton-Pelaia, leading scorer Jenna Dages (six goals, one assist) and Melanie Stiles (AAC Championship All-Tournament Team) both return.

VCU is coming off a 2018 season where the Rams finished 16-4 and reached the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship match. VCU was picked to finish in second in the conference in the league's preseason poll while Samantha Jerabek and Alyssa Tallent were both named to the preseason All-Conference team. Jerabek led the Rams with 29 points on 11 goals and seven assists and was First-Team All-Conference. Tallent finished the 2018 campaign with four goals and five assists. VCU also returns defender Lana Golob who was Second-Team All A-10 last year.

It will be the third consecutive season ECU will take on VCU, although all three matches have been exhibitions. Last season, ECU led 1-0 and 2-1, but eventually fell to the Rams 3-2 inside Johnson Stadium. It was the first of two exhibitions for the Pirates prior to the 2018 campaign. In official games, ECU has a 3-6-1 all-time record against VCU, although the two teams have not played since 2010.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., on Friday night in Johnson Stadium. Admission for all fans is free. Fans can also follow along with live stats here.

Players Mentioned

Jenna Dages

Jayda Hylton-Pelaia

Melanie Stiles

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