QUEENS, N.Y. – With a solid backing from its defense and goalkeeper, the Towson University women's soccer team withstood a barrage of shots at BIG EAST favorite St. John's University. Despite six saves from
Taylor Sebolao and her defense holding BIG EAST Preseason Co-Player of the Year Rachel Daly without a goal, the Tigers fell 1-0 at Belson Stadium.
- St. John's got a set piece in the 15th minute just outside the back to Taylor Sebolao's left but the cross went long and out of bounds.
- Towson's best chance of the first half came on a long pass in the 31st minute from Caitlin Oswald, feeding Natalia Pinkney up top. Pinkney used her speed to get loose but was tackled just outside the St. John's box.
- Morgan Tinari of St. John's ripped a shot in the final minute that snuck over the bar, sending the game scoreless into the halftime break.
- Big East preseason favorite St. John's out-shot Towson 6-2 in the first half, but put just one chance on goal, a chance stymied by Sebolao.
- Shelbie Halász broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, putting the Red Storm up 1-0 on an assist from BIG EAST Preseason Co-Player of the Year Rachel Daly.
- In the 75th minute, Daly took a free kick just 20 yards outside the box, sending it along the ground but Sebolao met the chance, her fifth of the night.
- Playing just 15 miles from her hometown, freshman Alexis Toles marked Daly most of the night, keeping the MAC Hermann Trophy candidate off the board.
- St. John's was ranked No. 21 in the Soccer America Preseason Women's Top 25 Poll.
- The Red Storm (2-0-0) took 18 total shots against Towson's five, but managed just seven of those attempts on goal. Sebolao finished with six saves.
- Towson (0-2-0) took two corner kicks, both in the second half, while St. John's attempted three, also in the final 45 minutes.
- Toles was carded in the 12th minute. Evelyn Neidert was hit with a yellow in the 36th minute.
The Tigers open the home portion of their schedule Friday night as Towson hosts High Point University. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at the Tiger Soccer Complex for nonconference action.
- TowsonTigers.com -