Towson downs Elon in CAA matchup
By: Karuga Koinange, Assistant Sports Editor
Towson earned a 19-7 victory over Elon Sunday afternoon at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The Tigers had four players record hat tricks, and senior attacker Samantha Brookhart tied the school and conference single-game assists mark Sunday afternoon, during a 19-7 victory over Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opponent No. 19 Elon at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
Head Coach Sonia LaMonica applauded the team’s performance, stressing that it was a complete victory.
“It was important to make a statement for ourselves and not for anybody else that we’re better than what we’ve been showing at times and that you have to play until the end,” LaMonica said. “You can’t get comfortable.”
Elon scored the first goal of the game, but Towson responded with three straight scores to take a 3-1 lead with 21:27 to go in the half.
The Phoenix came back with back-to-back goals to tie the game 3-3. However, the Tigers delivered another three-goal spurt to take a 6-3 lead with 11:39 to go in the half.
Elon scored two of the next three goals, making it 7-5 with 2:07 left on the clock, but free position goals from sophomore attackers Natalie Sulmonte and Carly Tellekamp sent Towson into the half with a 9-5 lead.
Towson did not let up in the second half, tallying the first three goals of the period as the home team took a 12-5 lead with 26:59 left in the game. Junior midfielder Kaitlyn Montalbano scored the first two goals of the second half and posted her second straight hat trick.
Elon scored with a free position goal, but Towson responded with a 7-0 run to seal its victory.
LaMonica pointed to strong performances from Brookhart, who recorded six helpers, and Montalbano as key factors in the win.
“As a group they’re just getting better and better,” LaMonica said. “That chemistry develops as the season goes on so I think we’re seeing some more connection between Sam and Monte and other people as well.”
Towson also had strong play from both of its goalkeepers. Sophomore Angie Benson started the game in goal for the Tigers and made four saves before giving way to freshman Kiley Keating, who made five saves in relief work.
“[We] really started with our great play defensively from Angie in goal and Kylie, then up through the defense, just a solid defensive effort and overall a great performance,” LaMonica said.
The Tigers also benefited from strong play from their two freshman defenders, Sami Chenowith and Olivia Conti. Chenowith led the defensive efforts with four caused turnovers and two ground balls.
“They’re great players and they’re demonstrating that,” LaMonica said. “They’ve got a lot of confidence now and that makes all the difference.”
Towson is back in action Sunday, April 16, when the team heads to Hofstra for a 1 p.m. game.
