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BLACKSBURG – 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.

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.

Fans can follow all the action during each match of the 2016 season by following the 2016 squad on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WSoccer