Pirates Handle Quinnipiac, 17-9

Sunday, March 16

Greenville, N.C.

12:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

2-4

Quinnipiac

5-3

Quinnipiac

ECU

March 16, 2025 | Lacrosse

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina lacrosse team's long-awaited home opener did not disappoint as the Pirates earned a 17-9 route of Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon in Johnson Stadium.

Rachel Chessock had a career day in the victory with six points on four goals and two assists and Leah Bestany matched her career high with five goals.

The Pirates (2-4) actually trailed for much of the first quarter, but after knotting the game at three apiece late in the period and earning their first lead of the game on Chessock's goal from Emily Stratton to open the second, the team never looked back. ECU went on to dominate that second quarter to the tune of 7-0. It was the first shutout quarter for the Pirates since the season opener at Queens.

Quinnipiac (5-3) was led in the game by a trio of players scoring two goals in Mia Delmond, Abby Wise and Anna Givens. Wise also contributed a team-high two assists.

The Pirates had stretches of utter dominance in the game, sharing the ball offensively and holding firm with strong defense and excellent keeper play from Jaime Behar. The junior got her second win of the season between the pipes and starred with her 12 saves, just missing her career high.

The Pirates also showcased periods of electric offense, paced by Bestany and Chessock's goals, Kayla Wilkes also tallied a hat trick with three goals and the team combined for season highs with 37 shots and 28 shots on goal. The fruits of their labor were plentiful in the game, battling blustery conditions for 25 points as a group while slotting a season high in goals, tallied on eight assists.

Those eight assists, while not a season high, were notable for making this season the first since 2022 in which the Pirates had eight-or-more helpers in multiple games. The eight assists are also tied for fifth most in a game in program history.

It was a much-needed win in an even more needed home contest for a team which spent the first month of the season on the road, and seeks to be a harbinger of results to come.

Up Next
The Pirates return home on Saturday, March 22, to welcome American Athletic Conference debutant South Florida to Johnson Stadium for a noon contest.