VILLANOVA, Pa. – Senior defender Melissa Gomes scored a goal for the second consecutive game, but the Tigers (3-3-2) were unable to overcome two early goals by UNC Charlotte as the 49ers (5-2-0) edged Towson by a 2-1 margin in the opening game of the Villanova Classic at Villanova Soccer Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The loss snapped the Tigers' two-game unbeaten streak and marked their first loss in a neutral site game this season. The Tigers are 1-1-2 in neutral site games this year.

The 49ers took a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute when senior forward Whitney Weinraub headed in a pass from senior defender Whitney Bryant for her second goal of the season.

Less than five minutes later, the 49ers upped their advantage to 2-0 when senior midfielder Sam Huecker scored off an assist from senior Megan Minnix.

With 11:21 remaining, Gomes cut the Towson deficit to 2-1 with her second goal of the season by scoring on a long shot from 35 yards away.

But, the Tigers were held to just one shot in the final 11 minutes as the 49ers held on for the victory.

Freshman goalkeeper Alex Kubrick made three saves for the 49ers, who won for the third time in the last four games.

Junior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak posted five saves in a losing effort for the Tigers, who were outshot by a 15-9 margin.

The Tigers, who have played eight straight road games to begin the season, finish their road trip on Sunday afternoon when they face Monmouth in the final game of the tournament at 1:30 p.m. The 49ers will play the host Wildcats in the first game of the day at 11 a.m.

College Women's Soccer: UNC Charlotte 2, Towson University 1
Towson (3-3-2)  0-1 / 1
Charlotte (5-2-0)  2-0 / 2

Goals: TOW – Melissa Gomes 1 (78:39); CHA – Whitney Weinraub 1 (22:03), Sam Huecker 1 (27:21). Assists: TOW – n/a; CHA – Whitney Bryant 1, Megan Minnix 1. Saves: TOW – Jocelyn Papciak 5 (90:00, 2 goals allowed); CHA – Alex Kubrick 3 (90:00, 1 goals allowed). Shots: TOW – 9; CHA – 15. Corner Kicks: TOW – 3; CHA – 4. Attendance: 201.