GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina lacrosse team will face the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels at Johnson Stadium on Wednesday evening, with the game scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET. The event is free for fans, and with ideal weather conditions expected, there’s a chance to break the stadium’s lacrosse attendance record of 585 set during the program’s inaugural game in 2018. For those unable to attend, the game will be available for streaming on ESPN+, with Zach Berly and Gabby Sartori calling the action.
This is the first time the Pirates will take on the No. 1 ranked team in NCAA lacrosse history, as North Carolina leads both the IWLCA Coaches Poll and the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. The Pirates have faced teams ranked as high as No. 2 (also North Carolina) in the past, but they have not won a game against a top-10 opponent in seven previous meetings.
Recent Performance:
East Carolina comes off an impressive 12-10 victory over Old Dominion, which moved them to 2-1 in conference play. Riley Matthiesen and Kayla Wilkes both scored hat tricks in the win, while goalie Jaime Behar recorded six saves. The Pirates’ offense was efficient, finishing with 12 goals on 14 shots on goal.
Scouting the Tar Heels:
North Carolina is a dominant force with a perfect 12-0 record, including several decisive victories over ranked opponents by double-digit margins. The offense is driven by the dynamic Humphrey sisters, Chloe and Ashley, who have a combined 67 points this season. Chloe leads with 52 goals and 15 assists, while Ashley has 19 goals and 48 assists. The defense is just as formidable, with three players each causing 12 or more turnovers, and Betty Nelson leading the way in goal with 73 saves.
Series History:
The Pirates and Tar Heels have met three times since 2019, with UNC winning each contest. Last season, the Tar Heels claimed a 14-6 victory in Chapel Hill, with North Carolina’s Carolina Godine scoring a hat trick. For the Pirates, Erin Gulden and Carli Johnston each netted two goals, while Behar made 11 saves in the loss.
Historical Struggles Against Ranked Teams:
East Carolina enters Wednesday’s game with an 0-24 all-time record against ranked teams.
Player Recognition:
Riley Matthiesen received American Athletic Conference Weekly Honorable Mention after scoring five goals, adding three ground balls, and registering an assist in two games last week.
