TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University field hockey team hits the road to open Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play with a pair of weekend games.
Towson (2-7) heads first to William & Mary (3-5) for a 7 p.m. matchup on Friday at Busch Field. On Sunday, Towson faces No. 19 James Madison (6-2) at 1 p.m. at the JMU Field Hockey Complex.
The Coverage
Both games this weekend will feature live stats. Links to both games can be found on the field hockey schedule page and on the team's official social media accounts prior to the game's starts.
The Series: William & Mary
Towson continues one of its longest standing rivalries on Friday against the Tribe, dating back to the 1987 season. The two teams have faced off 22 times in the past with William & Mary holding an 18-3-1 edge over Towson. The Tigers dropped a 2-0 decision to the Tribe last season, with both goals coming on penalty shots. Towson's last win in the series came during the 2011 season.
The Series: James Madison
Towson is looking for its second win against the Dukes when the two teams face off on Sunday. James Madison has won 21 of the previous matchups in the series. The Tigers won the first meeting between the two teams on Oct. 1, 1976, a 1-0 decision.
With a Win Friday…
- Towson would get its first win over William & Mary since the 2011 season.
- Get its third win of the season, the most wins in a season since Towson won 10 games in 2011.
- Defeat a CAA opponent for the first since winning 1-0 against Northeastern in 2011.
- Record its first win on the road since a 3-2 win at Longwood in 2014.
With a Win Sunday…
- Towson would defeat James Madison for the first time since the 1976 season.
- Defeat a ranked team for the first time since upsetting No. 18 American during the 2014 season.
- Record it's first-ever win against the Dukes on the road.
- End James Madison's 21-game win streak in the series.
Saves, Saves, Saves
Towson continues to lead both the nation and CAA in the saves category. The Tigers are the top-ranked Division I team for saves per game (12.78) and are second with a .816 save percentage. Junior goalkeeper
Emilee Woodall recorded a career-high 16 saves in Sunday's loss at Villanova. Woodall leads the conference and nation in saves per game with 11.22. Woodall's save percentage (.815) is the second-best among conference and DI goalies, behind Hofstra's Lauren Saltus.
Offense is Clicking
The Tigers have combined for three goals and 24 shots in their last three games. Freshman
Lexi Butler recorded two goals and nine shots against LIU Brooklyn, the most by a Tiger in a single-game since Katie DeFilippo took 16 against Appalachian State in 2011. Five Tigers have recorded points this season, led by Butler with seven (3 G, 1 A).
Defensive Dynamos
Towson has recorded three defensive saves this season, tied for the second-most in the CAA. Last season, the Tigers led the CAA and finished third among DI teams for defensive saves with 16. Sophomore
Erika McKay along with freshmen
Carli Herman and
Paige Zaleppa have each recorded defensive saves this season.
