TOWSON, Md. – It took an extra 17 minutes, but in the end, the Towson women's soccer team extended its program-record winning streak to six games. The most recent victory came in a 2-1 double overtime thriller against Saint Francis University Friday afternoon at the Tiger Soccer Complex.
 
Junior speedster Natalia Pinkney hit the game-winning goal after splitting two defenders in the 107th minute, notching her third game-winner of the year.
 
How It Happened

• Towson (6-2-1) put the pressure to the Red Flash early and often, out-shooting Saint Francis 10-5 in the first 45 minutes. Marissa Green was responsible for five of those attempts.
• Despite the pressure, Towson could not capital on several odd-number chances while Red Flash keeper Romina Kunze stopped two Towson attempts.
• Tiger goalie Taylor Sebolao stopped two shots in the first half. Both teams were called for offsides twice as Towson took six corner kicks against Saint Francis' one.
• The Red Flash (0-8-1) came out firing in the second half, taking a free kick just outside the Tiger penalty area in the 50th minute.
• Pinkney took one shot just two minutes into the second half, but the Tigers did not take another attempt for 11 minutes when McKenzie McCaull ripped an attempt in the 63rd.
• The Red Flash took a 1-0 advantage in the 62nd minute as Gabi Morales received a pass from Kasey Butts, snapping a 551 minute scoreless streak for the Tigers.
• Garber notched her first goal of the season, pulling down a cross-box pass from Pinkney. Standing near the post, Garber did not waste the chance and buried the game-tying shot that eventually forced overtime.
• The Tigers out-shot Saint Francis 28-13 in the game, putting 11 of those chances on goal. Saint Francis managed seven shots on goal, with Sebolao stopping six of those efforts.
• Towson took 11 corner kicks, including 10 during regulation, while limiting the Red Flash to just three. 

Behind the Numbers

• The Tigers have won their last six contests, a program record, while remaining unbeaten in their last seven games.
• Towson is unbeaten at home in 2015, moving to 2-0-1 on the season at the Tiger Soccer Complex. The Tigers have not dropped a contest at home in their last six outings, sporting a 4-0-2 record over that stretch.
• Saint Francis' marker snapped a 551 minute scoreless streak for the Tiger defense, which had not surrendered a goal since 70th minute against High Point University, a 2-2 draw on August 28.
• The Tigers have out-shot their opponents 61-19 over the last three games. Towson has put 26 of those chances on frame while allowing opponents a combined 10 shots on goal. 

Towson Head Coach Greg Paynter
Opening Statement
Saint Francis is a team that doesn't have a lot of results, but they play a very unique style of soccer. It's hard to get into a rhythm. We really struggled to find space in behind them. They obviously got a goal so we had to find a way to fight and claw back. I'm really proud of the way the girls fought late in the second half and overtime.
 
On fighting back in second half
I told the team 'it was all about them', it wasn't about coaching or the changes we made. It was about our girls going out there, executing while they're focused and really exerting the effort. Hollie (Garber) had one of the best games of the year. She showed up in the box score but what she really did for us today by just putting pressure on their two centerbacks was key to getting our offense going.
 
On Towson keeper Taylor Sebolao
She's been solid for us all year and today was no different than what's been going on the last eight games or so. I think the shutout streak is something that ended, but I think it may have helped us a little bit to not be pressured by these mounting minutes of shutouts. I'm really proud of the way the defense has been playing and Taylor has done a great job for us.
 
On the winning streak
It's fantastic for the girls and fantastic for the program to gain this kind of confidence and momentum going into our last nonconference game on Sunday.
 
Towson returns to the Tiger Soccer Complex on Sunday, rounding out the nonconference portion of the schedule with Ivy League foe University of Pennsylvania. The Tigers and Quakers square off at 1 p.m.
 
- TowsonTigers.com -