Field hockey: Towson finished weekend homestand .500

By: Tim Anderson, Staff Writer

After winning Friday night against Georgetown, the Tigers had a disappointing showing on Sunday afternoon against Villanova, finishing 1-1 on the weekend, their final two games before entering conference play.

On Friday, defense was the story of the night. After scoring a goal apiece in the first half, the Tigers and the Hoyas shutout each other in the second half, forcing an overtime period.

It was Towson who struck first in the first half as senior Stacey Mackintosh scored an unassisted goal in the 19th minute, her second goal of the season.

Mackintosh’s goal was answered by Georgetown’s Emily Weinberg in the 23rd minute off of a penalty corner.

Despite Georgetown drastically outshooting the Tigers in the second half by a total of 8-1, Towson goalkeeper Megan Boyle and the rest of the defense were able to keep the Hoyas off the board, forcing the Tigers’ first overtime period of the season.

Junior Morgan Skavdahl made sure that the overtime period did not last long.

In the 77th minute, Skavdahl found the back of the goal after an assist from senior Heather Jenney. The goal was Skavdahl’s third of the season and Jenney’s second assist.

Sunday afternoon’s match-up against Villanova had a different story all together for the Tigers.

After not allowing a single goal in the last 65 minutes of game play, the Tigers surrendered a goal in the 13th minute followed by two goals in two minutes to a 5-1 loss to Villanova.

While sophomore goalkeeper Emilee Woodall recorded a season-high 12 saves, the rest of the Tigers defense was unable to keep the Villanova attack contained, allowing a total of 25 shots.

On the other side, the Villanova defense was able to keep the Tigers’ offense in check, holding Towson to only 7 shots.

This forced Villanova goalkeeper Erika Miller to only have to make three saves.

The Tigers’ lone goal was scored by junior Allie Stauffer, her second of the season.

Towson head coach Carly Campana says that the Tigers need to work as a team in order to avoid more losses like the one on Sunday.

“We recognize, as a team now, that we need to consistently have more than just one person, or a few people, leading and stepping up,” Campana said after the game Sunday. “That in order to win, it’s a collective effort; meaning, that we need all 20 players to be present mentally and physically at each game.”

Part of this learning curve, Campana believes, is due to the team’s lack of experience at the collegiate level.

Of the 20 players on the team, 13 of them are underclassmen. On Sunday, five of the 11 starters were underclassmen.

But the team’s youth is something that Campana believes can propel the Tigers to success.

“We are a very young team with a lot to learn, but we are also a very young team with a lot of potential,” Campana said. “I am confident that this team will rise to the occasion.”

The Tigers (2-8) face number 19 James Madison University (6-3) at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Friday night at 6 p.m.

The match-up will be the first CAA conference game of the year for both teams.

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