TU Field Hockey falls in afternoon bout

By: D’Mari Dreher-Smith, Sports Editor

After falling to Appalachian State in their season opener, Towson field hockey looked to bounce back with a non-conference win against Davidson. But a slow defensive start and the lack of an offensive plan would ultimately hand the Tigers’ their second loss of the season, 6-1.

The first quarter opened in the Wildcats favor, scoring a major goal early on, two minutes in. Only minutes later, coming off a defensive save, Davidson’s Sib Naaktgeboren scored her second goal within five minutes of the game, 2-0.

The Tigers returned the favor with a quick run and pass from Towson’s Anouk Westerink to Arden Hunteman, who assisted Tatum Dobbins for a first quarter response, 2-1.

So began Towson’s scoring drought, and a defensive plan that wouldn’t hold. 

Towson’s struggle to break out of the backfield, led to easy steals from the Wildcats. Early into the second quarter, the Wildcats were able to break through Towson’s defense and score, pushing the score to 3-1.

It seemed Towson had regrouped coming into the third quarter, earning a corner only a minute in. Junior Lydia Bennett shot the corner for Towson, briefly losing possession but retaining it long enough for a Davidson save.

The Wildcats responded with a corner of their own, using the energy from the penalty to find their way to another goal, 4-1.

The Tigers continued their fight, fans in the TU Field Hockey Complex never dying down. But simply could not find their offensive strengths. 

The rest of the game was the Tigers’ lacking defense and the Wildcats triumph, 6-1.

The Towson Tigers next game will be at home on Friday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m.