TOWSON, Md. - Towson University field hockey junior
Katie McNeel scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season, but La Salle scored two goals in each half as the Explorers posted a 4-1 victory in a nonconference contest Friday at Hank DeVincent Stadium.
The Tigers (1-15), still feeling the effects of the illness that forced the cancellation of their game at No. 11 Delaware on Sunday, used 19 players in the game, including freshman
Molly Santi who saw time in goal for the second time this season.
How it Happened
- La Salle (9-7) held a 2-1 halftime lead despite being held to just seven first-half shots.
- The Explorers scored first just 9:36 into the game on their second shot off a breakaway.
- After a penalty corner resulted in the first save of the game for senior Emilee Woodall, Towson responded with its first corner, but a shot by senior Taylor Kvilhaug was saved.
- The Tigers also had the game's next scoring chance, but freshman Kendra Sykes shot it just wide.
- On its ensuing possession, La Salle drew its second penalty corner of the half and after Woodall made her second save, the Explorers found back of the cage for the second time.
- Following a timeout, Towson took possession and earned their second corner. Off the insertion by freshman Paige Zaleppa, McNeel scored on a blast from just inside the circle to cut the Tigers' deficit in half with under five minutes remaining.
- The Explorers controlled the action in the second half, totaling 17 shots to just two for Towson while holding a 7-1 advantage in penalty corners.
- Woodall totaled seven of her nine saves in the second half before giving way to Santi who had two over the final 17:14.
- One of La Salle's two second-half goals came off a penalty stroke.
Inside the Numbers
- McNeel has now scored in five of her eight games played this season.
- McNeel is the first Tiger to score at least five goals in a season since Heather Jenney in 2014. McNeel's 10 points are also the most since Jenney had 10 in 2014.
- Zaleppa has now scored a point in four of the team's last six games.
- Zaleppa is the first Tiger with at least four assists in a season since Katie DeFilippo had five in 2011.
- Woodall now has 541 career saves which ranks fourth all-time in CAA history and is the most among active Division I goalies.
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