ADA – The East Central University soccer team will open the 2016 season, Thursday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. at Tiger Field against Oklahoma Christian. The Tigers will then head to face Rogers State, Sunday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. and then host Newman, Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m.
The Tigers finished with a 5-13 overall record and a 4-8 mark in the GAC in 2015. ECU returns 15 letterwinners and six starters from a year ago, including
Taylor Kennedy. Kennedy led the Tigers with eight goals, two assists and three match-winning goals in 2015.
The Tigers also return
Chloe Hull, who went 3-11 in net, allowing 31 goals and stopping 109 shots.
Oklahoma Christian will also be playing in their first game of the season after going 5-9-2 a year ago. The Eagles return their top performer in the net and the top goal producer, but also add 13 new faces to the team.
Rubi Villegas led the team in 2015 with seven goals and an assist, while Courtney Nixon and Chelsea Key each added a goal. Carina Schanz earned a start in all 16 games and went 5-9-2 as the goalkeeper. She allowed 27 goals and stopped 91 shots.
Rogers State will host ECU for their second game of the season, as they face Missouri Southern, Sept. 1. The Hillcats are under new leadership this year after going 1-16 in 2015. The 2016 season is their first full year of membership in NCAA Division II.
Kimberlin Bennett and Paige Pontarolo are the top returners for Rogers State. Bennett tallied four goals and an assist, while Pontarolo added two goals. The Hillcats lost their top goalkeeper, with Addy Pritchard returning with just one match played, four goals allowed and five saves a year ago.
The final of three-straight Heartland Conference opponents will be Newman, who finished the 2015 season with a 6-8-2 record and also has a new coach for 2016.
The Jets return their three top producers on the field and their goalkeeper from the 2015 season. Morgan Foster tallied eight goals, Paige Thompson added four goals and an assist, while Madison Decker added three goals and an assist. Kelsi Langley played in 14 matches, allowed 15 goals and stopping 79 shots.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for youth (K-12) for all home soccer matches this season. Those with a valid ECU Student, Faculty or Staff ID receive free admission, as well as those under 5, over 65 and those with a valid military ID.
Fans will find an upgrade to Tiger Field this season, as new shades have been installed over the bleachers.
The first 25 ECU students, Thursday, Sept. 1, will also receive a free ECU Swag Bag, courtesy of Campus Involvement.
