Field Hockey: Weekend shutout leaves team looking ahead

By: Jordan Cope, Assistant Sports Editor 

Towson endured a tough weekend in New Jersey falling to Monmouth 3-1 Sunday, and Rider 4-2 Friday.  

“At Monmouth we had everything there they just outplayed us,” junior defender Allie Stauffer said. “Even though the score isn’t what we wanted it to be does not mean we are not the better team, every game is an improvement.”

In Sunday’s contest against Monmouth, the Tigers got out to a fast start on a goal off a corner from junior defender Sam Zelenack almost five minutes into the game.

“It was huge being able to go up one. A lot of times we are fighting back to the lead,” Stauffer said. “But being ahead was such a good feeling to get them to have to fight hard, and they did fight hard, I have to give them credit.” 

However, Monmouth responded in the 19th minute on a goal from freshman midfielder Gab Girardi to tie the game 1-1, and later added a goal from senior midfielder Cori Allen in the 22nd minute to take a 2-1 lead into the half.

“The coaches told us to not give up and that we were still in the game,” Stauffer said. “It was still a one point differential so we knew that we had to fight hard to win that game. They outplayed us but we definitely competed in that game.”

In the second half, Monmouth added a goal off the stick of junior midfielder Alyssa Ercolino to end Towson’s hopes of a comeback.

Against Rider, the Tigers trailed 1-0 in the 10th minute after Broncs freshman midfielder Jessica Randazzo scored at the top circle.

Despite trailing early, Towson took a 2-1 lead thanks to a pair of goals from senior midfielder Stacey Mackintosh and junior defender Morgan Skavdahl.

“At Rider we had a really good first half and not a great second half,” Stauffer said. “We have to learn to play a full game of hockey. It’s not just one half, it’s two full halves.”

In the second half, Rider was able to score three unanswered goals, one from Rachel Ippolite, and two from Melissa Cunningham to defeat Towson 4-2. Next week, the Tigers will begin a four game homestand that features opponents Georgetown, Villanova, James Madison and William and Mary.

“We are pretty excited,” Stauffer said. “Home field advantage is always a good thing to have. We have some good games coming up. We are excited to see how we compete and make a difference from last year in conference play.”