Monday, November 3
Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
7:30 p.m.
East Carolina University
0
vs
1
Memphis
Pirates Take No. 3 Memphis to the Wire in 1-0 Quarterfinal Loss
November 03, 2025 | Soccer
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla – The East Carolina soccer team gave it a run but fell short to an 87th-minute winner against No. 3 Memphis in the American Conference Quarterfinal on Monday night.
It was a heroic effort for the Pirates (6-8-4, 4-4-2 American), repelling the nation's only undefeated team time after time—including a SportsCenter Top 10 worthy clearance off the line by Juliana Viera. Memphis (16-0-2, 9-0-1 American) put up a whopping 20 shots with 10 on goal, but they just couldn't break through.
It was going to take that kind of effort to have a chance against a team which is now outscoring opponents 48-6 on the season. For over 86 minutes, the Pirates went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 team in the land and didn't flinch.
But Memphis is a great team, and great teams find a way. It was Ashley Henderson who did it, because of course it was, she's a stunningly talented player who well earned her American Player of the Year trophy. Henderson got the header that decided it on a corner kick from Ai Kitagawa—a tremendous talent in her own right—and with just over three minutes remaining, it was a hill too steep to climb.
Olivia Dietrich played a game to remember, and certainly to be proud of, in goal. She made eight saves, some highlight worthy, in stopping a Tigers squad which game in averaging a quarter shy of three goals per game.
The Pirates, to their credit, got three shots on goal from Viera, Ella Steck and Amy Mason, challenging a keeper in Abby Kudla who has seldom been challenged this season.
It was not the result the Pirates wanted to keep the hopes of defending their league title alive, but it was one that they can be proud of and look to in building momentum and confidence heading into their first full offseason under head coach Emily Buccilla.
It was a heroic effort for the Pirates (6-8-4, 4-4-2 American), repelling the nation's only undefeated team time after time—including a SportsCenter Top 10 worthy clearance off the line by Juliana Viera. Memphis (16-0-2, 9-0-1 American) put up a whopping 20 shots with 10 on goal, but they just couldn't break through.
It was going to take that kind of effort to have a chance against a team which is now outscoring opponents 48-6 on the season. For over 86 minutes, the Pirates went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 team in the land and didn't flinch.
But Memphis is a great team, and great teams find a way. It was Ashley Henderson who did it, because of course it was, she's a stunningly talented player who well earned her American Player of the Year trophy. Henderson got the header that decided it on a corner kick from Ai Kitagawa—a tremendous talent in her own right—and with just over three minutes remaining, it was a hill too steep to climb.
Olivia Dietrich played a game to remember, and certainly to be proud of, in goal. She made eight saves, some highlight worthy, in stopping a Tigers squad which game in averaging a quarter shy of three goals per game.
The Pirates, to their credit, got three shots on goal from Viera, Ella Steck and Amy Mason, challenging a keeper in Abby Kudla who has seldom been challenged this season.
It was not the result the Pirates wanted to keep the hopes of defending their league title alive, but it was one that they can be proud of and look to in building momentum and confidence heading into their first full offseason under head coach Emily Buccilla.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Forward
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