The East Carolina lacrosse team is set to begin its 2025 season on the road against the Queens Royals on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Queens Sports Complex. Though the game will not be available for streaming, live stats will be available via StatBroadcast.
2024 In Review
The Pirates finished with a 4-12 record last season, struggling down the stretch after opening with a 3-1 start to the season. Often coming up short in close games, the team showed their potential throughout the year but were unable to close it out in an up-and-down first season for coach Brittany Dipper. They do return leading goal scorer Erin Gulden who tallied 31 scores last season but lose do-it-all superstar Frances Kimel who finished her career with just about ever record in the book.
Scouting the Royals
Queens finished the year with a winning record at 9-8 last season. The ladies from Charlotte do return their star player, Kayleen Favreau who put up gaudy numbers with 80 points on 59 goals and 21 assists last season and has been named ASUN Preseason Player of the Year as a result. The Royals will be dealing with a changing of the guard in goal with the departure of started Caroline Kraemer to graduation. Kraemer was credited with all nine wins in 2024 and had a save percentage of .482.
Series History
The Pirates and Royals have had a fun series the last couple of years with both contests going to ECU in 2023 and 2024 respectively. That first meeting was a lower-scoring two-goal game before a 15-12 victory for the Pirates last season. Kimel, Gulden and Emily Stratton all scored four goals in the game while Jaime Behar made 11 saves and earn the decision.
O Captain, My Captain
Leah Bestany, Erin Gulden and Caroline Meininger have been named Team Captains for the 2025 season. All three are first-time captains.
Preseason Honors
Erin Gulden, Caroline Meininger and Emily Stratton have all been named to the America Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference Team
Hey, We Know Her
After an illustrious four-year career in which she finished as the program’s all-time leader in ground balls and caused turnovers, Alexandra Giacolone will be in a new role for the Pirates in 2025, this time on the sidelines as an assistant coach.
She’s Back!
After suffering a season-ending knee injury in the game at North Carolina last season, junior midfielder Kayla Wilkes returns to the field this season. Wilkes was leading the team in draw controls with 22 at the time of her injury. She also scored 15 goals and had 17 ground balls in seven games played.
Newcomers to Watch
Emma Magazu comes to the Pirates as a well-credentialed senior defender after three seasons at New Hampshire. While she didn’t compete last season, she did record 22 caused turnovers and 44 ground balls in two seasons of action, including a team-high 12 caused turnovers in 2022. Magazu figures to factor in a major way in the Pirates defensive efforts. Additionally, Maeve Kirwan is a true freshman but don’t expect that to be limiting. The rookie out of Haddonfield, N.J. is expected to start on the defensive end for the Pirates and is one to watch for the future.
So Last Season
Speaking of finishing games, the Pirates 4-12 record from last season is a tad misleading. The team had five of their losses in the season which were by a combined 10 goals—Elon (3), Duke (2), Cincinnati (1), Vanderbilt (1), Mercer (3).
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