New kids on the block

Imagine leaving home, being thrust into a new environment with rules and social structures. Imagine being asked to perform on deadline, be in specific places at all hours of the day and act responsibly at all times. For most college students one or all of these things takes place every semester. For a college athlete however, these things may mean the difference between the ability to attend college and going home.

Throw in the fact that one is less than two months into their college career and is asked to be the focal point of their respective sport. Sarah Kirkley, Jessica Swanson and Amy Szilard, have been asked to fuse together a soccer team crippled by graduation. The trio is sharing their time as attackers for the women's soccer team. Not only are the freshmen trying to adjust to college life or trying to develop an understanding of the college game on the field, but they are being asked to do so immediately.

The three have been inserted into the lineup not because the Pirate's elders have been injured, but more because their talent level warrants playing time. The three freshmen account for nine of the 21 goals scored by ECU this season. ECU's opponents have only scored 10 goals thus far. Aside from senior Tara Shaw, who has four goals and nine points, the freshmen account for three of the top four scoring slots. The trio has started 31 of 38 games at either midfielder or forward. Adjusting to a new environment may not have been quite as hard for Kirkley as some of her teammates.

Kirkley graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh. Kirley won three state 4-A championships while honing her skills under high school coach Izzy Hernandez.

"She's more of a playmaker, and she covers a lot of ground in the midfield for us," said ECU Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth.

Kirkley leads the Pirates with 11 points, including three assists in a recent game against Marshall. The former high school captain and N.C. Olympic development team member has started 11 games at her midfielder slot.

Swanson, who has three goals and two assists, was a four-time all-conference performer at West Johnson High School for coaches Louie Nenni and Tony Koy. The forward was named Who's Who Among America's High School Students and has started seven of the Pirates' 13 games. With senior Rachel Hils out with a leg injury, the exercise physiology major has been forced to grow up quicker than normal. With the added pressure, Swanson is still adjusting to being a first-year college student.

"Mine was knowing your responsibilities," Swanson said. "Like laundry for instance, if I have to do laundry my mom would do it at home, but now I have to take the time. School work on top of that with traveling and everything, just knowing your priorities and what you need to get done first."

Upon her recruiting visit Swanson knew that Donnenwirth was trying to build a new foundation after second-team All Conference USA and NSCAA All-Southeast Meghan McCallion graduated. Donnenwirth has 15 freshmen on the roster.

"The campus is really what drew me here," Swanson said.

Amy Szilard, a 5-foot-2 sparkplug is tied with Shaw for the team-lead in goals scored with four. The Frankfort, Ill. Native ranks seventh all-time in Illinois state history for goals scored in a single season. She scored 50 as a sophomore and was a member fo the sectional and super-sectional championship teams as a senior. The four-time regional champion has also recorded an assist.

"I'm really excited for her," Donnenwirth said concerning her abilities on the field.

The Pirates will welcome UCF on Friday at 1 pm and Southern Miss on Sunday at 7 pm. Both games will be played at Bunting Field. The Golden Knights (7-5-1, 3-1-0 C-USA) are coming off a win against UAB last weekend. Senior Roberta Pelarigo (12 points, six goals) leads Amanda Cromwell's team and is also the reigning NSCAA Soccer Player of the Week.

"[Pelarigo] can beat you in so many ways," Donnenwirth said. "Personally I think she is the best player in the conference.

Southern Miss (4-8-1, 0-4-0 C-USA) has never beaten the Pirates in four tries. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 4-1 home loss to Memphis on Oct. 8. Senior Carly Barkley (11 points, five goals) and sophomore Sarah McFadden (15 points, six goals) lead Gail Macklin's team. Macklin, a 2001 graduate, is the third coach in the program's brief history.

If the Pirates want to win and rise above their current seventh place Conference USA standing, they will have to continue to rely on their youth. But for Donnenwirth and Pirate fans thus far, that might be a good thing.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.