Pirates Erase Two-Goal Deficit Late for 2-2 Draw with Florida Atlantic

Thursday, October 2

Greenville, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

4-4-3, 2-1-1

Florida Atlantic

4-7-3, 1-2-2

Fla. Atlantic

East Carolina

Pirates Erase Two-Goal Deficit Late for 2-2 Draw with Florida Atlantic

October 02, 2025 | Soccer

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina soccer team battled Florida Atlantic to a 2-2 draw Thursday night in American Conference play on Bill Clark Homes Field at Johnson Stadium. The Pirates erased a two-goal deficit in the final 25 minutes to grab a crucial point in league play.

The Pirates (4-4-3, 2-1-1 American) started on the front foot in the first half with a total of eight shots. The best coming from Caitlen-Star Dolan Boodram in the tenth minute when the London native cut outside to her left and swung a left footed shot on goal, only to be saved by the Ashley Small.

In the second half, the Owls (4-7-3, 1-2-2 American) opened the scoring in the 53rd minute as Sloane Young dribbled down the left side of the pitch and sent a left-footed cross on the ground which found Michelle Horan sitting at the top of the six-yard box who scooped the ball over ECU goalkeeper Kayce Taylor and into the top netting to put Florida Atlantic ahead 1-0. Shortly thereafter, Florida Atlantic doubled their lead in the 65th minute as Hailey Santiago took the ball on the counterattack and curled a looping shot into the top right corner to put the Owls ahead 2-0.

Trailed two goals adrift and with a palpable lack of energy in the stadium, the Pirates turned the game on its head in the 66th minute. Lily Ridge dribbled down the goal line and played the ball inside to Mackenna Gregory who calmly slotted home her first career goal. With the crowd back into the game, the Pirates pushed on taking chances forward and finally breaking through in the 82^nd minute.

Isabella Gutiérrez received the ball at midfield, played to Dolan Boodram who in turn weighted an outside of the foot pass perfectly to set up Ella Steck in the eighteen to set up her first goal of the season. Steck took the ball on her left foot, shielded off a defender, and struck a well-placed shot at the far post beyond the outstretched arms of Megan Hogate.

Keeping the momentum the Pirates found several opportunities to nearly grab a winner, the most dangerous of which came in the 86th minute when Steck ran down a ball to the corner flag, gathered and sent a curling ball into the box that was just inches beyond Alyssa Tucker's head.

Notables

Thursday was the third time in the last 21 years in which the Pirates have come back from two or more goals down at halftime or later to earn a result (2006, W 3-2 at Georgia State; 2023, T 2-2 at North Texas). Down 2-0 with 25:37 on the clock is the latest in the last 23 years in which the Pirates have come back from such a deficit.
Mackenna Gregory scored in her 51^st minute of action this season.
Thursday was Kayce Taylor fourth career appearance and the first in which she has conceded a goal. All told, the sophomore played 190 minutes and 12 without conceding a goal to begin her career.
Caitlen-Star Dolan Boodram has now recorded a point in six games this season.
Second consecutive game in which a Pirate has scored her first career goal (AJ Mayock, Mackenna Gregory).
Ella Steck's goal was her first in 34 games with her most recent tally coming on September 3, 2023, in a 3-1 at High Point
Sofia Serrano remains the only Pirate to play every minute this season with 990 total minutes on the season.