TOWSON, Md. – It was a long time coming for the Towson University women's soccer team. The Tigers bested University of Delaware 1-0 Friday afternoon at a rain-soaked Tiger Soccer Complex, snapping a seven year home drought against the Fightin' Blue Hens.
 
Senior forward Natalia Pinkney scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 12^th minute, her fourth goal of the season. Classmate Emily Marshall played in a pass between Pinkney and a pair of defenders, setting up the speedster with the goal. It was Towson's first victory over Delaware at home since a 2-1 victory on Oct. 16, 2009.
 
Following the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) victory, the team welcomed Elizabeth from the Team Up For 1 Foundation as the newest member of the program. Elizabeth was presented with an MVP trophy and Towson soccer gear from the team.
 
How It Happened

• Towson (5-7-1, 2-1-0 CAA) forced the issue early on as rookie Justine Stoner got a corner kick in just the third minute, but the Blue Hens (3-9-0, 2-1-0 CAA) countered and ripped off two shots and a corner kick over a six-minute stretch.
• With 11:30 on the clock in the first half, Pinkney received her pass in from Marshall, splitting two defenders and beating Delaware's keeper Kailyn Rekos to put the Tigers on top 1-0.
• In the following minutes, a frustrated Delaware side got three corner kicks, resulting in two shots. But Tiger keeper Taylor Sebolao made one of her five saves and the second was blocked to preserve the lead.
• After a quick Towson possession that saw Evelyn Neidert take a chance that was saved, Delaware went back on the offensive, for nearly seven minutes. The Hens took three shots in that stretch, with one sailing high, one was blocked and third was halted by Sebolao.
• Delaware, which entered the game atop the CAA standings, out-shot the Tigers 10-4 in the first half. Sebolao made four stops in the first 45 minutes, while her counterpart stopped a pair.
• After allowing 10 shots in the first half, Towson's defense clamped down on the Hens, keeping Delaware without a shot for the first 34 minutes of the second half. Jillian Vassallo took a chance in the 79^th minute, but was thwarted by Sebolao. That chance was the last shot Delaware took in the match.

 
Behind the Numbers

• Offense was close in the 24^th meeting between the I-95 rivals. Delaware took 11 total shots, while the Tigers ripped nine. Both keepers finished with five saves as Towson put six of its nine shots on goal.
• The Tigers are now unbeaten in their last three meetings with the Blue Hens, winning by the same score in 2014 and drawing 1-1 last season, with both games being contested in Newark, Delaware.
• Sebolao finished her 90 minutes with her fourth shutout of the season and 11^th of her career. She is now in sole possession of third place all-time in career clean sheets.
• Pinkney knocked home her second game-winning goal this year, which is the seventh of her career. The Pennsylvanian is now tied with 25^th Anniversary Team members Erica Marshall (2006-09) and Kaitlyn Zamroz (2005-09) for second all-time at Towson.

 
Up Next for Towson

• Towson hosts game two of its five-game home stand on Sunday, welcoming in another I-95 rival in Drexel University.
• Game time between the longtime foes is slated for 1 p.m. at the Tiger Soccer Complex.
• The Dragons entered Friday with a 5-5-1 overall record and a 1-1-0 mark in conference. Drexel takes on James Madison Friday night in Harrisonburg, Virginia for a 7 p.m. match.

 
- TowsonTigers.com –