NCAAW: No. 18 Virginia Tech to face East Carolina, JMU in weekend slate

BLACKSBURG (Via Virginia Tech University) – The No. 18 Virginia Tech women’s soccer team opens it 2016 home slate against East Carolina on Friday, Aug. 26, before traveling to James Madison for a match on Sunday, Aug. 28.

The Hokies kick off their home season against the Pirates at 7 p.m., while first kick from University Park, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is set for 7 p.m.

Friday’s contest is free, and all fans are encouraged to wear their best summer outfits in honor of the “End of Summer Party” at Thompson Field.

East Carolina Live Scores | James Madison Live Scores | James Madison Live Stream

The Hokies started the season 2-0 for the eighth year in a row, as the team picked up two victories over SEC opponents at the College of Charleston Tournament held on Aug. 19-21, in Charleston, South Carolina. Senior forward Murielle Tiernan, a 2016 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Candidate, scored Tech’s lone goal to secure a 1-0 victory over LSU on

Aug. 19, while senior midfielder Candace Cephers scored back-to-back goals in 87 seconds to capture a 2-1 win over Mississippi State on Aug. 21.

For their efforts, junior Madi Conyers, redshirt-freshman Kelsey Irwin, Tiernan and Cephers were four of 12 student-athletes listed to the all-tournament team.

+Read: No. 4 Virginia women’s soccer defeats Michigan State 3-0

Friday’s match is the program’s fifth all-time meeting against East Carolina (1-1), as the Hokies hold a 3-0-1 series edge over the Pirates. In its last meeting, Tech tallied a 3-0 victory at East Carolina in 2014. ECU split its opening weekend with a 3-0 setback vs. William & Mary on Aug. 19, in Greenville, North Carolina, followed by a 2-1 victory over Towson on Aug. 21, in Towson, Maryland. Senior forward Lana Spitler, a 2016 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) nominee, leads the team with six shots on-goal this season.

Tech will square off against James Madison (0-2) for the 19th time in program history on Sunday. The Hokies hold a 3-0 record under coach Charles “Chugger” Adair’s watch, tallying a 2-1 win in Blacksburg last season. The Dukes opened 2016 with a pair of losses vs. Arkansas (4-3 OT) and Northwestern (3-0) at the JMU Invitational held on Aug. 19-21, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Sophomore Hailey Stein leads the team with three points on the year, including a free kick to push the Dukes’ into overtime with the Razorbacks.