TOWSON, Md. – The summer is over. Towson University women's soccer hits the pitch twice this weekend to crack open the 2016 campaign.
 
Friday night sees Towson take on the Hoyas of Georgetown University at Shaw Field with a 4 p.m. start, followed by the team's home opener on Sunday at 2 p.m. against visiting East Carolina University.
 
The Coverage
Friday's game will feature a live video feed, with a fee set by the Georgetown University athletic department. There will also be a live stats feed of the match between the Tigers and the Hoyas. Sunday's game at the Tiger Soccer Complex will have a live stats feed. Both games will feature live tweeting on the program's official handle: @Towson_WSoc.
 
The Series: Georgetown
Friday will be the 10^th meeting all-time between Towson and Georgetown. The two teams did not meet last season, with their previous meeting coming during the 2014 campaign. The Hoyas lead the series at 7-2-0. Towson is hunting its first win in the series since a 3-2 overtime thriller on August 25, 2000 in a road game. Both of the Tigers' series wins came as 3-2 victories.
 
The Series: East Carolina
Sunday's game will be the first-ever clash between the Tigers and the Pirates of Greenville, North Carolina. The last time Towson played a nonconference game against an opponent from the Tar Heel state was Sept. 18, 2011 as the Tigers were edged 3-1 at NC State.
 
The Silver Anniversary
The 2016 campaigns marks the 25^th anniversary for the Towson University women's soccer program. Playing its first game on September 9, 1992, the program begins its silver year on campus. A celebratory weekend is slated around a rare Saturday game for the Tigers on October 8 as Towson hosts Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival James Madison. In the coming weeks, Towson will announce its 25^th Anniversary Team, culminating around the October 8 weekend.
 
Preseason Nods
Senior speedster Natalia Pinkney was named to the Preseason All-CAA Team, announced by the league office earlier this week.
 
After a breakout season Pinkney was named as the team's Offensive Most Valuable Player. She finished with a team-best 15 points on seven goals, three of which were game-winners. The forward added an assist to her stats as well. Pinkney's overtime game-winning goal against St. Francis University was shown on ESPN SportsCenter, garnering the No. 10 spot on the coveted list. Pinkney was named Third Team All-CAA at the end of the season.
 
Enjoy It While It Lasts
The Tigers will play just two games at home in the early goings of 2016. Sunday's game will be the first, followed by a Friday afternoon tilt against St. John's University on August 26. Game time for the second match is slated for 4 p.m. at the Tiger Soccer Complex.
 
Towson will be on the road for its next six matches, including a pair of neutral site games at the Navy Invitational on September 9 (Bowling Green) and September 11 (Drake) in the state capital.
 
However, Towson plays five of its nine CAA games at the Tiger Soccer Complex. All five home league games will be played in consecutive fashion, kicking off on September 30 against nearby rival Delaware.
 
Consistency is Key
Towson will enjoy the same coaching staff in 2016 as it did in 2015. Head coach Greg Paynter begins his 10^th season at the helm, while assistant coaches Mike Eckberg and Autumn Hayes are in their third and second years, respectively. Volunteer assistant coach Matt Gibson, who works with the club's keepers, enters his fourth season.
 
The Season Preview
Forwards
The conversation about the Tigers' forwards begins with Natalia Pinkney, the team's lone Preseason All-CAA Selection. Last year, Pinkney tucked away seven goals and one assist for a team-high 5 points. The speedster gives the Tigers a solid chance in long balls. After a year off with an injury, senior Izzy Latour returns to the top for Towson, along with fellow senior Madison Nadeau, who saw time in four games last season. Sophomores Katie Fullerton, McKenzie McCaull and Evelyn Neidert, all of whom return after playing in all 19 games as freshman. McCaull led the rookies with five points on two goals and one assist, while Fullerton notched two goals as well. A connecting player, Neidert chipped in two helpers in her rookie campaign. Three freshmen from three different states will add depth to the Tigers' forwards as Moriah Wigley, Sam Orecchio and Elizabeth Coletti join the squad for 2016.
 
Midfielders
Despite just five players listed on the roster as true midfielders, the group brings a bevy of experience. Senior Emily Marshall started in all 19 games a year ago, adding four points on one goal and two assists. Junior Maddie Bove likewise started in 19 games and had four points on two goals. Like the forwards, three new faces will adorn the midfield unit as Nikki Logan, Grace Mondloch and Justine Stoner begin their collegiate careers.
 
Hybrids
Two players, sophomore Sarah Quick and redshirt sophomore Madi Lawrence, will play in hybrid positions this season as midfielders and forwards. Quick played in 17 games last season, notching her first career point on an assist. Lawrence begins her first campaign with Towson after sitting out last year. The redshirt sophomore transferred to the University after one season at High Point University.
 
Defenders
Towson's bread and butter resides along its backline. At first glance, the Tigers would have work to do along its backline after graduating 200 games from last season's starters. But despite that loss, Towson boasts tons of experience along with solid numbers.
 
The deepest position for Towson in 2016, the Tigers have 11 defenders on the roster. Two-year starters Marissa Green (senior) and Kristyn Hubbard (junior) return to a line that held opponent scoreless for a program-record 551 minutes last season. A steady member of the program, Lexi Murphy enters her final campaign and has been part of the system for the last three years while junior Kelsey Ritter also adds experience and depth. Joining the three experienced players will be five sophomores. Alexis Toles played in 12 games, including eight starts as a rookie, while Danielle Gardner came off the bench in 10 games. Renee Gast played in eight games while Xavia Lemott played in five contests with two starts. Sam Lotti looks to hit the field this season after sitting out 2015 with an injury. Joining the lineup in 2016 will be two rookie defenders, Moncia Scaglione and Sydney Davis.
 
Goalkeepers
Towson has had strong goalkeepers in its 25-year history, including several in the years past. Senior Taylor Sebolao is no exception that rule as she begins her final season. Sebolao backstopped the program's 551-minute scoreless streak as the team ran up an eight-game unbeaten streak as well. The senior notched seven shutouts while making 118 saves. She finished with a 1.33 goals against average and an 81.5 save percentage.
 
Junior Emma Burnett is a veteran in the program as a third-year goalie. Burnett played in 70 minutes a year ago, doing so across three games. Sophomore Megan Collins adds depth to the goalkeeping position as well.
 
- TowsonTigers.com –