TOWSON, Md. – Towson University field hockey opens its 40th season with two games this weekend.
 
The Tigers head to Longwood on Friday for a 3 p.m. matchup before returning home to host Rider on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Coverage
The matchup between the Lancers and Tigers will feature live stats and a free live video stream. Sunday's game at Johnny Unitas® Stadium will also have live stats, along with a free live video stream courtesy of Towson Sports Network.
 
The Series: Longwood
This will be the 12^th meeting all-time between Towson and Longwood. The Lancers won the matchup last year 2-1 to tie the series up at 5-5-1. The Tigers' last victory was a 3-2 win on the road in 2014.
 
The Series: Rider
The Tigers will be looking for their first win against the Broncs since a 7-0 win during the 1998 season. Rider holds a 15-4-1 series lead over the Tigers after winning the last three matchups, including a 4-2 win on the road last year.
 
Preseason Honors
Senior defender Morgan Skavdahl was named to the Preseason All-CAA Team, announced by the league last week.
 
Skavdahl was one of four Tigers to start all 18 games last season. She tied for a team-high four goals and finished second on the team with eight points. The defender recorded the overtime game-winner against Georgetown. Skavdahl was named to the All-CAA Academic Team in 2015.
 
The Season Preview
 
Graduate Student
The Tigers have added graduate student Tabby Sabky to the roster in 2016. The midfielder joins the Tigers after playing two years at Dartmouth College. She is expected to have an immediate impact on the field.
 
Seniors
Carly Campana's small but key senior class consists of goalkeeper Megan Boyle and defenders Morgan Skavdahl and Allie Stauffer. Boyle appeared in 12 games and started eight last season. She posted a league-best .785 save percentage and tallied 100 saves, the fourth-most among goalkeepers in the league. Skavdahl is one of four Tigers to start all 18 games last season. In addition to anchoring the Tigers' defense, Skavdahl tied for a team-high four goals and finished second on the team with eight points. Stauffer, who led the team with nine points and tied for a team-high four goals, will begin the season sidelined with injury.
 
Juniors
The junior class consists of four midfielders, a forward and one goalkeeper. Taylor Kvilhaug returns after starting all 18 games last year. She recorded three points (1G, 1A) and was second on the team with 16 shots. Morgan Lowry started 14 games in 2015 and tallied her first collegiate point on an assist. Sabrina Davis and Baily Kerr also return to the midfield in 2016. Patrice Groody who has previously played at midfield will move up to attack this season. Woodall, who earned Second Team All-CAA honors in 2015, returns in goal for Towson. Woodall made 12 appearances, while starting 10 of those games. She led the team with 112 saves, the second-most in the league and recorded a .704 save percentage.
 
Sophomores
The sophomore class includes forwards Katie McNeel, Natalie Hack and Devon Hake, midfielders Erika McKay and Delaware transfer Jordie Loomis, along with defender Deirdre Korkes. Redshirt sophomore Natalie Hack also returns for the Tigers at forward. Hake, McKay and McNeel will be looked on to lead the Tigers' offense. Hake led the freshman last year with four points on a goal and two assists.
 
Freshmen
Campana's latest recruiting class is made up of forwards Lexi Butler, Jenna Johnson and Kelli Vizzuso, along with midfielder Korena Shaw, defenders Carli Herman and Paige Zaleppa and goalkeeper Katie Schmidt. Johnson and Herman are expected to have an immediate impact on the field. Schmidt will add depth to the goalkeeping position while adjusting to the collegiate level.