TOWSON, Md. – Facing a late 2-0 deficit, the Towson women's soccer team rallied late in the second half to draw even with the two-time defending Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) champion Huskies of Northeastern University. A goal in the 101^st minute by Northeastern sealed Towson's fate.
 
How it Happened

• Mired with some controversy, the first goal scored by Northeastern (11-4-1, 4-1-1 CAA) was called good by the alternate official, despite Towson goalie Taylor Sebolao appearing to keep the ball out of the goal. Breeana Koemans was credited with the header goal on a cross-box pass from Kayla Cappuzzo in the 10^th minute.
• The Huskies extended their lead in the 39^th minute as Mackenzie Dowd tipped in a header on the back post on a corner kick sailed in by Koemans.
• The first half was even throughout, with Towson (6-6-3, 0-4-1 CAA) out-shooting Northeastern 7-5. Sebolao made a pair of stops in the first half while Huskie keeper Nathalie Nidetch made one save.
• Northeastern earned four corners in the first 45 minutes while Towson took one. The Tigers were whistled for three offisdes against two for the Huskies.
• The first half was relatively whistle free, with just five fouls called, three against Towson and a pair against the visitors.
• Towson cut the Northeastern lead in half in the 79^th minute as rookie Alexis Toles, making her second-straight start after returning from injury, sent a pass to junior Natalia Pinkney on the far side of the box, allowing Pinkney to net her sixth of the season.
• The key moment of regulation came in the 87^th minute as Northeastern's Brittani Gardella was booked for a yellow after a dangerous tackle. Senior defender Vasthy Delgado stepped and sent in a ball from near midfield, which found the head of freshman McKenzie McCaull.
• After tipping off McCaull's head, Pinkney received the ball at her feet a put home the game-tying goal, forcing Towson's third-straight overtime contest.
• The second half was chippy with 15 fouls, including 12 against the Tigers. Four yellow cards were issued in the final half and overtime of the contest, with three against Towson.
• Both teams were active in the first overtime, with Towson taking two shots against the Huskies' four. Sebolao made one of her six stops in the first overtime.
• Hannah Lopiccolo took the ball in the Tiger penalty area, spin around her defender and scored the game-winning goal.

 
Behind the Numbers

• The Tigers played their third-straight double overtime contest, drawing with Delaware 1-1 (Oct. 4), falling to Hofstra 2-1 on Friday and today's result. It's the first time Towson has played three-straight overtimes since the 2005 season.
• Towson has played four straight double overtime games at the Tiger Soccer Complex and have five extra-time games at home this season. The six overtimes for Towson represent the most in a single season since playing six in the 2009 season.
• Northeastern has also played six overtimes this season en route to its fourth-straight victory.
• The Tigers and Huskies played to overtime for a second time in the last three season and needed double overtime for the first time since 2001, a 1-1 draw in Towson. Both teams played in the America East Conference at the time.

 
Up Next for Towson

• The Tigers hit the road for one final weekend of the regular season next week. On Friday, Towson takes on College of Charleston followed by a Sunday tilt with UNCW.
• Friday's game time is set for 7 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. match on Sunday against the Seahawks.

 
Towson Head Coach Greg Paynter
On creating adjustments in the second half
We pushed a defender up into the midfield trying to match their 4-4-2 with a 3-4-3 and just putting pressure on them. We did that for the last 20 minutes or so.
 
Turning the conference schedule around
Sometimes it takes something out of your control, a bit of a fortunate bounce or a fortunate call. We've played unbelievable soccer through five games in the conference season and coming up without positive results. To take Hofstra and Northeastern to double overtime, to come back against them to force overtime this weekend is an unbelievable accomplishment. And I told the team today I couldn't be more proud of what they did. I'm not happy with the result but very proud of the fight and commitment they've put together for each other.
 
Towson Forward Natalia Pinkney
On making adjustments in the second half
I think we realized that we had control over most of this game and all we had to do was play our game. We had control of that game and when we played our game and had our heads in it we completely dominated. We believe in each other and have the confidence and determination and that's exactly what brought us back in this game.
 
Turning the conference schedule around
Playing exactly how we're playing and finishing out games. We've been playing great soccer, we just have to get that key finishing component and sometimes the luck just isn't on our side. We just have to keep playing how we're playing and keep our heads in it, keep our spirits up.
 
- TowsonTigers.com -