PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Sophomore attacker Jenna Kerr and freshman midfielder Natalie Sulmonte combined for eight goals to power the No. 18 Towson University women's lacrosse team to a 13-6 win at Drexel University on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. The Tiger defense turned in another strong performance, holding its eight opponent of the season to six goals or less.

THE BASICS
No. 18 Towson 13, Drexel 6
Vidas Field, Philadelphia, Pa.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Dragons (9-5, 2-2 CAA) got off to the early start as Drexel forced a Towson turnover on a clear and Lacey Aghazarian scored at 23:57.
• The Tigers (11-2, 4-0 CAA) responded as sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Montalbano won the ensuing draw and the Tigers circled the ball behind the net with junior midfielder Samantha Brookhart. Brookhart passed to Kerr who buried it home and tied the game at 1-1 with 22:54 left in the first half.
• The goal jump started a 4-0 run by the visitors that made it a 4-1 game with 14:40 showing on the clock. Kerr scored her second of the game for the Tigers during that run.
• The two teams continued to battle before a free position goal from Devin Nihill at 5:09 allowed Drexel to halt the run and make it a 4-2 game.
• Sulmonte and senior midfielder Breanna Hamm both scored for the Tigers in the final five minutes and Towson took a 6-2 lead at the break.
• Towson got the second half scoring started as Drexel was whistled for a yellow card at 26:50. The Tigers took the ball up the field and Sulmonte fired it home. That gave the Tigers a 7-2 advantage with 26:35 to play.
• The Tigers and Dragons traded goals as Sulmonte's third of the game made it an 8-3 game in favor of the visitors with 24:34 to play.
• Back-to-back Drexel goals made it an 8-5 game with 19:07 to play and Towson called timeout.
• Redshirt junior midfielder Michelle Gildea and Sulmonte scored back-to-back free position goals which gave Towson a 10-5 lead with 8:27 to go in the game.
• A pair of Kerr goals and one from Montalbano secured the 13-6 win for the Tigers. Grace Osterdale scored for Drexel during the final five minutes of the game.

QUOTABLE

• "We got great finishing from Jenna and Natalie today," said Towson head coach Sonia LaMonica. "Natalie is getting more confidence and is such a gamer. Our defense continues to be the backbone of our success. They are so tough and getting better with each game and they are backed up by a great goalie. I'm proud of how they make plays and its no one individual. They all make the plays when they need to."

                                               
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Freshman Angie Benson finished with five saves to earn the win in goal for the Tigers. Carlee Ries made five saves in the loss for Drexel.
• The Tigers outshot Drexel 22-13 in the game. Towson's defense limited Drexel to just three first half shots. The Tigers won 14 of the 21 draw controls in the game.
• Towson has now limited 12 of its 13 opponents to single-digit goals this season. The Tigers have held eight opponents to six goals or less.
• The Tigers secured a spot in the upcoming CAA Tournament to be held at Drexel with the win.
• Sulmonte finished with a career-high four goals for her first career hat trick and added five draw controls.
• Kerr's hat trick was the first of her career.
• Hamm and Gildea each scored a pair of goals in the game while Gildea also added an assist for three points.
• Junior defender Kelly McQuilkin had two draw controls, two ground balls and two caused turnovers while sophomore defender Tianna Wallpher had a team-high three caused turnovers.
• Nihill led Drexel with two goals.

The Tigers return home for the first time since March 26 when they host William & Mary on Friday, April 22 at 7 p.m.