IRVING, Texas – The East Carolina lacrosse team has been picked fourth in the American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, the league announced Tuesday. Additionally, three Pirates—Erin Gulden, Caroline Meininger and Emily Stratton—were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Pirates fourth-place selection places them ahead of debutant teams South Florida and Charlotte, as well as Old Dominion. James Madison was picked as the preseason favorite with six first-place votes. Vanderbilt earned the one remaining first-place vote.
The team enters the team after a 4-12 campaign a season ago which featured a 1-5 mark in league play. The Pirates battled through some growing pains in the first year under coach Brittany Dipper but showed real promise throughout the season. Over 50 percent of the goals and points from that 2024 squad return for this season, led by Gulden’s 45 points on 31 goals and 14 assists.
Individually, Gulden, a senior attack player posted six hat tricks while also contributing 21 draw controls and 17 ground balls last season. The West River, Md. native is poised for a big year in 2025 as she takes the mantle as the top returning scorer.
Meininger, a senior defensive player, recorded a team-high 35 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers which ranked second on the team in 2024. The Ellicott City, Md. native started every game a year ago and with the graduation of Alexandra Giacolone becomes the key stalwart of the ECU defense.
Last but certainly not least, Stratton, a senior midfielder, did a little bit of everything for the Pirates last year with her 25 points on 19 goals and six assists, 12 ground balls and eight draw controls. The Camillus, N.Y. native started nine games a year ago and looks to feature even more significantly in the team’s efforts in 2025.
2025 American Athletic Conference Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll
| 1. | James Madison (6) | 36 | |
| 2. | Vanderbilt (1) | 31 | |
| 3. | Temple | 24 | |
| 4. | East Carolina | 19 | |
| 5. | South Florida | 18 | |
| 6. | Charlotte | 11 | |
| 7. | Old Dominion | 8 | |
| first-place votes in parentheses |
|
2025 American Athletic Conference Preseason Attack Player of the Year
Maddie Epke, James Madison *
2025 American Athletic Conference Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Kemper Robinson, Vanderbilt
2025 American Athletic Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Carolyn Thistlewaite, James Madison *
2025 American Athletic Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Taylor Grollman, Temple
2025 American Athletic Conference Women’s Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team
Lily Barger, D, Charlotte
Erin Gulden, A, East Carolina
Caroline Meininger, D, East Carolina
Emily Stratton, M, East Carolina
Carolyn Thistlewaite, D, James Madison
Ava Bleckley, D, James Madison *
Caitlin Boden, G, James Madison
Maggie Clark, M, James Madison
Maddie Epke, A, James Madison *
Olivia Mattis, A, James Madison
Sydney Taylor, A, Old Dominion
Sofia Chepenik, A, South Florida
Ansley Knor, D, South Florida
Taylor Grollman, G, Temple *
Amelia Wright, A, Temple
Brooke Baker, M, Vanderbilt *
Maddie Barkate, A, Vanderbilt
Molly Finlay, A, Vanderbilt
Alex Gladding, D, Vanderbilt
Kemper Robinson, M, Vanderbilt* unanimous selection
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