BALTIMORE, Md. – Behind four goals from redshirt senior Andrew Hodgson and a smothering defensive effort, the No. 14 Towson University men's lacrosse team picked up its third win in four games with an 11-7 victory at UMBC Saturday afternoon.
 
The win at UMBC Stadium improved the Tigers to 2-1 in 2015 against teams from the Baltimore area, the best mark for Towson in such games since the 2006 season. The Tigers opened this season with a 7-5 win over then-No. 5 Johns Hopkins.
 
"It's always important to get out early, either with some early stops or early goals; it gives us some momentum either way," said Towson head coach Shawn Nadelen. "I was glad that our offense stepped up and buried some shots to give us a four-goal lead to start. UMBC was what we expected and they battled back. It was important to start quickly after losing in triple overtime (on Tuesday at Navy)."
 
Hodgson finished with a career-high four goals while Joe Seider buried three goals, his third hat trick of the season. Ryan Drenner and Spencer Parks notched two goals and one assist each. Greg Cuccinello led Towson with two helpers as Justin Mabus logged an assist as well.
 
Playing in its first home game of the season, UMBC (2-3) was paced by two goals from Jack Gannon and Max Maxwell. Pat Young, Dylan McDermott and Nate Lewnes finished with one goal each. Young had a game-high three assists as McDermott accounted for the Retrievers' fourth helper.
 
Towson's Tyler White got the win, making four saves and backing a defense that held its opponent to single figures for the fifth time season. The Tigers, who ranked second in the Colonial Athletic Association in goals allowed, forced five of UMBC's 12 turnovers.
 
Faceoffs were a much improved stat line for Towson as Alec Burckley won a career-high 15 of his 21 attempts, collecting nine of Towson's 32 groundballs along the way. The Tigers limited loose ball chances for UMBC, allowing the Retrievers just 23.
 
Controlling most of the game, Towson out-shot UMBC 43-22, putting half of those chances on frame. UMBC's keeper, Connor Gordon, made 10 saves as UMBC saw its two-game winning streak come to an end.
 
Towson jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter, holding an opponent scoreless for the first 15 minutes for a second time in 2015. Hodgson scored twice to start the game, followed by Seider and Parks. All four goals were unassisted.
 
UMBC rallied to start the second quarter, potting three unanswered goals before Towson scored two more in the final six minutes of the half, bookended a Retriever goal. The Tigers took a 6-4 lead into the break.
 
The third period featured just two goals, with Seider extending Towson's lead to 7-4 on a Cuccinello assist. UMBC pulled back within two at the 8:20 mark with a Gannon goal.
 
Towson cracked a tight game open in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Retrievers 4-2 in the period. All four goals came in the five minutes of the fourth, with a pair from Hodgson and one each from Drenner and Parks. UMBC scored the final two goals of the game but it was too little too late.
 
After a four-game road swing, the Tigers return to Johnny Unitas ® Stadium for a non-conference game against Hobart College next Saturday. Opening faceoff for the March 14 game is set for 1 p.m. against the visiting Statesmen.

- TowsonTigers.com -