Aug. 7, 2008

GREENVILLE, N.C. - The East Carolina soccer team ushered in the 2008 season Wednesday evening with its first practice inside the Blount Intramural Sports Complex. In his 10th season with the program, head coach Rob Donnenwirth directs a squad that finished 2007 with a 9-5-5 overall record and 3-3-3 mark in conference play.

ECU welcomes 10 newcomers, including eight freshmen to this year's team. Senior Savanna Russo joins the squad from Louisiana Tech and looks to add depth to the Pirates' solid defensive corps. Additionally, junior midfielder Meagan Davis arrives in Greenville from Chandler-Gilbert Community College where she earned 2007 First-Team All-America honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Adding 17 returning letterwinners, four of which are seniors, to the newcomers should provide Donnenwirth with an arsenal of weapons in the program's quest for its first-ever Conference USA title.

"It is always great to start preseason practice," Donnenwirth stated. "This is what we work for all year and the staff and team are excited to get started. I feel we have a good blend of experience and youth. I have been very impressed with our freshmen and they should provide our returners with a lot of competition."

East Carolina opens its campaign on Aug. 22 with a match against in-state rival Western Carolina. The contest is slated for 5 p.m. at Bunting Field.