Thursday, October 23
Houston, Texas
7:00 p.m.
East Carolina University
1
at
1
Rice
Pirates Settle for Draw in Eventful Entanglement with Rice, 1-1
October 23, 2025 | Soccer
HOUSTON, Texas – The East Carolina soccer team settled for a draw in a 1-1 affair with Rice on Thursday night at Holloway Field. Alyssa Tucker scored a first-half goal for the Pirates before Leah Chancey converted a late penalty for the Owls.
Olivia Dietrich denied the Owls (9-2-5, 3-1-5 American) of an early goal in just the third minute when Eileen Albers drilled a header from the six which was stopped by a diving punch only to wind up back in on a second chance for Leah Chancey which Dietrich also denied before another chance for Albers went just wide. It was a key moment for a team which has been prone to allowing an early goal this season and set up Dietrich for what wound up being an excellent first half despite some nervous making moments.
The Pirates (5-6-4, 3-3-2 American) opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Isabella Gutiérrez used a free kick from near the center circle to deliver a well-placed free kick into the penalty box where Alyssa Tucker was able to get some separation from her defender to play a looping header over the outstretched hands of Rice goalkeeper Kirsten Ruf. The goal was Tucker's third of the season and the assist Gutiérrez' third.
Despite the goal, the first half was extraordinarily even statistically with a 9-7 edge in shots for the Owls but an even 4-4 battle in shots on goal with Dietrich being up to the task on each Rice shot on frame. The keeper was called upon once more in the waning second to make a diving save to her right to snuff out a tricky Naija Bruckner shot. The Owls did put the ball into the net on a rebound but were whistled for a clear offside to nullify the tally.
With around half an hour remaining in the game, the Pirates had to weather an aggressive surge from the Owls which featured a pair corner kicks and but only one shot, taken by Leah Chancey before the game settled back into a steadier rhythm and a Dietrich goal kick. Despite the many opportunities, none of the looks during the sequence for Rice were overly troubling for the ECU defense as they managed to pack the box and repel any advances from the hosts.
Rice got a tantalizing opportunity in the 75th minute when the Pirates were whistled for a handball just strides beyond the top of the 18-yard box. Kallie McKinney stepped up to the free kick and struck a fair attempt with pace, but near the center of the frame it was saved comfortably by Dietrich.
Rice equalized in the 84th minute when a lengthy review resulted in a penalty kick. Leah Chancey converted the opportunity.
Ultimately it was something of a bizarre affair which perhaps both teams exit feeling as though it should have been a win. Instead, the teams each bring home a point and will have to wait a little longer to earn their spots in the American Conference Tournament.
Up Next: The Pirates remain in the Lone Star State for a contest with UTSA on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Olivia Dietrich denied the Owls (9-2-5, 3-1-5 American) of an early goal in just the third minute when Eileen Albers drilled a header from the six which was stopped by a diving punch only to wind up back in on a second chance for Leah Chancey which Dietrich also denied before another chance for Albers went just wide. It was a key moment for a team which has been prone to allowing an early goal this season and set up Dietrich for what wound up being an excellent first half despite some nervous making moments.
The Pirates (5-6-4, 3-3-2 American) opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Isabella Gutiérrez used a free kick from near the center circle to deliver a well-placed free kick into the penalty box where Alyssa Tucker was able to get some separation from her defender to play a looping header over the outstretched hands of Rice goalkeeper Kirsten Ruf. The goal was Tucker's third of the season and the assist Gutiérrez' third.
Despite the goal, the first half was extraordinarily even statistically with a 9-7 edge in shots for the Owls but an even 4-4 battle in shots on goal with Dietrich being up to the task on each Rice shot on frame. The keeper was called upon once more in the waning second to make a diving save to her right to snuff out a tricky Naija Bruckner shot. The Owls did put the ball into the net on a rebound but were whistled for a clear offside to nullify the tally.
With around half an hour remaining in the game, the Pirates had to weather an aggressive surge from the Owls which featured a pair corner kicks and but only one shot, taken by Leah Chancey before the game settled back into a steadier rhythm and a Dietrich goal kick. Despite the many opportunities, none of the looks during the sequence for Rice were overly troubling for the ECU defense as they managed to pack the box and repel any advances from the hosts.
Rice got a tantalizing opportunity in the 75th minute when the Pirates were whistled for a handball just strides beyond the top of the 18-yard box. Kallie McKinney stepped up to the free kick and struck a fair attempt with pace, but near the center of the frame it was saved comfortably by Dietrich.
Rice equalized in the 84th minute when a lengthy review resulted in a penalty kick. Leah Chancey converted the opportunity.
Ultimately it was something of a bizarre affair which perhaps both teams exit feeling as though it should have been a win. Instead, the teams each bring home a point and will have to wait a little longer to earn their spots in the American Conference Tournament.
Up Next: The Pirates remain in the Lone Star State for a contest with UTSA on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Midfield
/ Soccer
Forward
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