Pirates Open 2026 Season with 15-4 Route Over Queens

Sunday, February 8

Greenville, NC

2:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

1-0

Queens

0-1

Queens

East Carolina

February 08, 2026 | Lacrosse

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Entering the season with high hopes, the East Carolina lacrosse team did not disappoint in their 2026 season opener, routing the Queens Royals, 15-4, on Sunday afternoon on Bill Clark Homes Field at Johnson Stadium.

The Pirates (1-0) got off to a quick start, firing 17 shots in the first quarter on their way to a 9-2 halftime lead. After an opening goal from Katelyn Sclafani less than a minute into the game, Queens (0-1) was able to level things at one apiece before ECU used a 6-0 run to create early separation.

Sclafani was a revelation in the game with her four goals and three assists putting her just one point away from tying the program record for a single game.

The Pirates closed the first half strong with two goals in under 90 seconds from the stick of Riley Matthiesen, including a buzzer-beating shot on a fast break as time expired on a nice feed from Kayla Wilkes. Matthiesen finished with four goals, all in the first half, as well as one assist.

Wilkes, the reigning American Conference Midfielder of the Year, had a characteristically strong game on Sunday as she filled the stat sheet with two goals, two assists, four caused turnovers and four draw controls. Four caused turnovers tied a career high. She scored two of her goals in the second half as ECU continued to push the lead, going up by double digits on a Rachel Chessock goal with four minutes to play in the third and keeping a running clock going from there.

Chessock finished the day with a pair of goals while the Pirates also got single tallies from Bella Askey, Maya Koebke and rookie Sophia Apple. As a team offensively, ECU racked up 35 shots in the game while also recording 10 assists which are tied for the second most in a single game in program history.

American Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Jaime Behar got the start in cage and played the full 60 minutes, making eight saves to just four goals allowed in a win. Four goals allowed is tied for third best in a game in program history (the Pirates have limited opponents to two goals on two occasions).

Up Next
The Pirates are back at home next Saturday for a noon contest with Coastal Carolina.