TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University field hockey team welcomes La Salle University and Ohio University to Johnny Unitas® Stadium for a pair of weekend games.
The Tigers (0-4) opens play against La Salle (1-2) on Friday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. On Sunday, Towson hosts Ohio (1-3) for a noon matchup.
The Coverage
Both matchups this weekend will feature live stats and a free video stream courtesy of Towson Sports Network.
Celebrating 40 Years
Towson will celebrate its 40
th anniversary of field hockey elevating to an NCAA championship sport this weekend. The celebrations begin on Saturday, Sept. 10 as alumnae, their families and guests, are eligible to receive complementary tickets to Towson football's home opener against Saint Francis University. Tours of the Tigers' facilities and an on-field reception with an in-game reception highlight Saturday. On Sunday, alumnae are invited to attend the Tigers' matchup against Ohio as past members will be recognized at halftime. A postgame reception at the Greene Turtle Towson concludes the anniversary weekend.
The Series: La Salle
This will be the 27
th all-time meeting between the Tigers and Explorers. The Tigers hold an 18-8 series advantage despite La Salle winning the last two matchups. Towson's last win in the series was a 2-1 overtime victory on the road during the 2011 season.
The Series: Ohio
This will be just the second time the Tigers and Bobcats meet, and the first time at either school's home facility. The two teams met for the first time in a neutral site matchup during the 2013 season at Robert Morris University, with Ohio claiming a 2-1 overtime win. Only two Tigers on the current roster have experience playing against the Bobcats: seniors
Morgan Skavdahl and
Allie Stauffer.
With a Win Friday…
- Towson would earn its first win of the 2016 season.
- The Tigers would also get its first win over La Salle since the 2011 season.
- First home win in the series since a 4-2 win in 2010.
- The Tigers would record their first home victory since a 2-1 overtime defeat of Georgetown on Sept. 25, 2015.
- Towson would get a win over an A-10 opponent for the first time since beating La Salle 2-1 in overtime in 2011.
With a Win Sunday…
- Towson would earn its first win over the Bobcats.
Defensive Dynamos
The Tigers are once again one of the leaders in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) for defensive saves. Last season, the Tigers led the league and tied for third among all Division I programs for defensive saves. Currently, Towson is tied with Delaware for a league-best two defensive saves. Only four players in the CAA have recorded defensive saves, including Towson freshmen
Carli Herman and
Paige Zaleppa.
Saves, Saves, Saves
The Tigers continue their trend of leading in saves. The Tigers lead all Division I programs with 13.75 saves per game. Towson recorded a league-best 55 saves over its first four games. Junior goalkeeper
Emilee Woodall holds the top spot nationally for saves per game with 11.75. She has also recorded a league-high 47 saves with a league-leading .758 save percentage.
Preseason Honors
Senior defender
Morgan Skavdahl was named to the Preseason All-CAA Team, announced by the league prior to the season.
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.
