NEWARK, Del. - Junior attacker Sarah Appelt scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in the second overtime period, as the Tigers (5-5, 1-0) earned their fourth win in the last five games, a 9-8 double overtime Colonial Athletic Association victory over the University of Delaware (5-6, 0-1) in the CAA opener for both teams at Delaware Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After the teams traded goals in the first overtime period, Appelt gave the Tigers the victory when she scored an unassisted goal with 1:18 remaining in the first segment of the second overtime period.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first seven minutes of the game as Appelt and sophomore midfielder Ashley Waldron each scored a goal past senior goalkeeper Makenzie Worthington.
Following a goal by senior attacker Julianna Jeffers trimmed the Delaware deficit to 2-1, the Tigers upped their advantage to 4-1 with 20:39 remaining in the first half on back-to-back goals from Waldron and senior attacker Jess Dunn.
The teams traded goals before sophomore midfielder Morgan Leonard ended the first half by scoring an unassisted goal with 32 seconds left, giving Towson a 5-3 advantage at the intermission.
After the teams exchanged goals to start the second half, the Tigers took a 7-4 lead with 18:08 left when sophomore midfielder Kelly Custer scored her 12th goal of the season. But, the Blue Hens scored three straight goals over a nine-minute span to even the score at 7-7 with 4:30 remaining in regulation.
With nine seconds remaining in regulation, the Blue Hens had a chance to earn the victory but a shot by senior attacker Holly Burman was stopped by junior goalkeeper Mary Teeters, sending the game into overtime.
In the first part of the overtime segment, the Blue Hens took an 8-7 lead when freshman midfielder Bridget Burns scored off a Burman assist with 28 seconds remaining. But, the Tigers countered in exciting fashion when senior defender MaryEllen Elie scored the first goal of her college career after a turnover by the Blue Hens to tie the score at 8-8 with four seconds remaining in the period.
Waldron led the Tigers with a three-goal effort while Appelt scored twice. Teeters made 11 saves in the victory for the Tigers, who outshot Delaware by a 22-21 margin.
Freshman midfielder Bridget Burns led Delaware with two goals while Burman had three assists. The Blue Hens had a 15-5 advantage in draw controls.
The Tigers will return home on Friday afternoon to face Drexel University in a CAA game at 4 p.m. Meanwhile, the Blue Hens will host Hofstra on Friday night at 7 p.m.
