When |
Saturday, April 29, 2017 |
Where |
Johnny Unitas Stadium (Towson, Md.) |
Time |
Noon |
Team Records |
No. 16/No. 19 Towson (7-4, 3-1) vs. No. 9/No. 10 Hofstra (11-1, 3-1) |
Lax Sports Network |
LaxSportsNetwork.com |
|
Play by Play: Brendan Glasheen
Color Analyst: Mark Dixon |
TSN Audio |
TowsonTigers.com |
|
Play by Play: Spiro Morekas
Color Analyst: Hunter Lochte |
Live Stats |
TowsonTigers.com |
Tickets |
TowsonTigers.com |
Series |
Hofstra 26-21 |
Last Meeting |
April 30, 2016 (Hempstead, N.Y.)
No. 12 Towson 8, Hofstra 7 |
Opening Faceoff
Saturday's game will be the final CAA regular season game of the 2017 season, pitting the two winningest programs in conference history against one another. The regular season championship and right to host the CAA Tournament is on the line, with both schools in position to host, depending on the outcome of Saturday's game between Drexel and UMass.
In The National Rankings
After dropping its first road game of the season at Fairfield last weekend, the Tigers slipped in the polls. Towson slotted in at No. 16 in the USILA Coaches' Poll, while dropping to No. 19 in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. Towson dropped two spots in this week's US Lacrosse Magazine Division I Top 20 as well, sitting at No. 13.
The Senior Day Tigers
Saturday marks the final regular season game for the 2017 Tigers. The staff and team will honor the program's 11 seniors on Saturday, prior to the start of the contest. Towson is led by the senior class, with Ryan Drenner (21-17-38) and Joe Seider (19-8-27) setting the pace. Redshirt senior Brian Bolewicki (9-7-16) has come on strong in CAA play with four goals and three helpers in league play. While the offense is led by seniors, the defense is made of returners for 2018. Sid Ewell, Chad Patterson and Gray Bodden have started every game down low and help the Tigers hold opponents to just eight goals per game, ranking ninth in Division I. Senior LSM Tyler Mayes has been strong in league play, forcing 15 turnovers during CAA action. Alex Woodall continues to be a force at the X, winning 59.9 percent of his total draws, while going 63.8 percent (49-78) in CAA games.
Scouting The Pride
No. 9/No. 10 Hofstra boast the top offense in the CAA, averaging 11.83 goals per game. Josh Byrne (35-24-59) leads the way for an offense with six players over the 20-point barrier. Rookie Ryan Tierney (26-15-41) is second on the team, followed by Dylan Alderman (15-16-31). Another freshman, Kyle Gallagher, has stepped in at the X for an injured Kris Clarke. Gallagher has won just shy of 50 percent of his draws this year (99-201). Between the pipes, Jack Concannon has played in all but 15 minutes in 2017. The 6-2 keeper has 142 saves, doing so at a 59.2 percent clip. His goals against average is 8.34 and he has allowed just 98 goals this year. Opponents score just 8.33 goals per game against the Pride. Hofstra does not have a single player with double-digit caused turnovers.
Towson-Hofstra History
Towson met last week's opponent, Fairfield, for the fourth time in program history. This week's foe is a much deeper rivalry as the Tigers and Pride square off for a 48th time since 1961. Hofstra leads the all-time series 26-21, but Towson has won three of the last five meetings, including an 8-7 win on Long Island last season. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by two goals or less. The CAA is the third different conference Towson and Hofstra have played each other in, joining the East Coast Conference and the America East Conference.
Towson-Hofstra By the Numbers
All-Time Series Record Hofstra 26-21
at Towson Towson 13-8
at Hofstra Hofstra 14-6
at Neutral Sites Hofstra 1-0
at Unknown Sites Hofstra 3-2
First Meeting 1961 (Hofstra 14, Towson 1)
Last Meeting April 30, 2016
No. 12 Towson 8, rv Hofstra 7
Streak Towson +1
Last Time Out vs. Hofstra - Regular Season Finale
No. 12 Towson made the trip to Long Island to cap the 2016 regular season at Hofstra, with the regular season championship on the line. The two teams traded blows the entire game, with neither side gaining more than a one-goal advantage. The April 30 matchup saw six lead changes and six ties. Current senior Mike Lynch deposited the decisive goal with 4:31 to play on a feed from Spencer Parks. Joe Seider had a three-goal game while Ben McCarty finished with a pair. Tiger keeper Tyler White stopped nine Hofstra shots, while current Pride senior Jack Concannon made 13 saves. Towson clinched the regular season title and went on to host (and win) the 2016 CAA Championship Tournament.
With a Win Saturday
- Towson would finish atop the CAA standings and would have the upcoming CAA Men's Lacrosse Championship at Johnny Unitas Stadium on May 4 and 6.
- The Tigers would improve to 4-1 in the CAA for a second-straight season. Towson has not won four or more league games in back-to-back years since the 2009-10 seasons.
- Towson would get back to .500 at home (3-3) this year. Towson has not had a losing season at home since 2011 and has a winning record in all five previous seasons under head coach Shawn Nadelen.
- Towson would win its second-straight game against the Pride. The Tigers have not bested Hofstra in back-to-back games since 2012 and 2013, the first two years of the Nadelen Era.
- The Tigers would level their all-time record against teams ranked No. 9 in the USILA Coaches' Poll at 5-5. Towson has not beaten the No. 9 team since topping Penn State 11-10 in the 2013 CAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.
- Towson would claim its second top 10 win over an opponent this season after besting No. 6 Johns Hopkins 13-8 on March 11. Towson would have at least two top 10 wins for a second-straight season.The Tigers have not beaten two top 10 teams in back-to-back seasons since 1991 and 1992.
Careers Versus Hofstra
Joe Seider is the active points and goals leader in the series with Hofstra. The senior has seven career goals, including a hat trick last season. He leads the Tigers with a pair of extra-man goals as well. Classmate Ryan Drenner is second among active players with four points (3g, 1a), which is the second-most goals for a current Tiger against the Pride. Jon Mazza leads Towson with two helpers from his rookie campaign. Seider is the top shooter for Towson against Hofstra, putting up 30 total shots, with 17 of those on cage. Senior LSM Tyler Mayes has forced a pair of Hofstra turnovers during his time with Towson.
CAA Tournament Scenarios
The four teams for the upcoming CAA Men's Lacrosse Championship have been locked in since last weekend, featuring Towson, Hofstra, Drexel and UMass. The first three teams are all 3-1 with a chance to host the Championship on May 4 and 6. Only UMass does not have a chance to host at 2-2.
With a win on Saturday, Towson will improve to 4-1 in the league and should Drexel win over UMass and get to 4-1 on Friday night, the Tigers have the tie-breaker by virtue of the 8-7 win in Philadelphia. If both Hofstra and Drexel win this weekend, Drexel would host the CAA Tournament after beating Hofstra 13-12 on March 15. If Hofstra wins and Drexel loses, the Championship will be at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, New York.
Fifth and Final
The fifth CAA game of the season has been feast or famine for Towson. The Tigers are 6-9 all-time in their fifth CAA game since joining the league in 2002. Towson won its first five such games, including a 10-6 win over Hofstra in 2005. The Tigers hit a rough patch in the fifth league game of the year from 2007 until last season, dropping nine straight. Last season's 8-7 win in Hempstead snapped that long stretch. The Tigers and Pride have met in Towson's fifth CAA game of the season five times. The Tigers are 2-3 in those meetings, but two of those losses have been one-goal games, including an overtime matchup in 2007. The Tigers are 1-2 against Hofstra at home in Towson's fifth CAA game of the season.
Conference Finales
Since joining the CAA in 2002, Towson has had success in its regular season conference finale. The Tigers are 10-5 in their final league game of the year, winning their first six CAA finales. Towson dropped the conference finale in back-to-back years just once, in 2014 and 2015. Towson won its final league game of the year last season, 8-7, at Hofstra.
Regular Season Finales
Since elevating to the Division I level for the 1980 season, Towson has had mixed success in its regular season finale. The Tigers hold a 16-21 mark in the final game of the regular season.
Spreading the Wealth...ish
The Tigers improved to 7-3 on the year with their 10-6 win at Delaware on April 15. While Ryan Drenner and Joe Seider lead the offense, Towson has generated game-winning goals from five different sources. Only one player, Brian Bolewicki, has multiple game-winning goals.
Below is a list of the five different game-winning goal scorers and the game in which they scored the decisive marker.
• Brian Bolewicki - at Mount St. Mary's - Feb. 18
• Cole Robertson - at Georgetown - Feb. 25
• Joe Seider - at UMBC - March 4
• Ryan Drenner - vs. No. 6 Johns Hopkins - March 11
• Tyler Young - at Drexel - April 1
• Brian Bolewicki - vs. UMass - April 8
• Brian Bolewicki - at Delaware - April 15
Nothing But Success
The first class to go through the full recruiting process under head coach Shawn Nadelen, the class of 2017 has been integral to the Tigers' return to prominence on the national scene. The 10 true seniors and one redshirt senior have been part of 43 wins since stepping on campus (though Bolewicki has been here for 53). The class has two CAA Championships to its credit so far, along with two berths in the NCAA Tournament. Below is a list of the top five winningest classes since Towson elevated to Division I in 1980. This class will compete in its fourth-straight CAA Tournament, beginning on May 4.
2016 - 46 - (3 Conference Titles)
2017 - 43 - (2 Conference Titles)
2004 - 41 - (3 Conference Titles)
1992 - 41 - (2 Conference Titles)
1991 - 40 - (2 Conference Titles)
SECURITY!
After leading the country in fewest turnovers per game last year, the Tigers got off to an uncharacteristic start this season. In the March 1 statistical rankings, the Tigers were ranked 63rd, averaging 17.33 turnovers per game. Since then, Towson has made ball control a priority. As of April 25, the Tigers ranked ninth in the country in turnovers per game, down to 11.55. In all but one week, the Tigers have gone up in the statistical category rankings, jumping 54 spots in less than two months.
Midseason All-American
The seventh annual Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-America list was released on March 30. Sophomore defensive midfielder Zach Goodrich was named among some of the best in the country as he was the short stick defensive midfielder named First Team Midseason All-America. Goodrich was the lone CAA student-athlete named to the first team, while three student-athletes from Hofstra were selected to the second team.
#22 Hits #24
Those watching Towson lacrosse over the last three and a half years are familiar with senior attackman Ryan Drenner. The Finksburg, Maryland native is a dynamic athlete, capable of feeding or scoring. To wit, Drenner has 21 goals and 17 assists this season. He also owns one of the longest point streaks in the country as he has at least one goal or assist in each of the Tigers' last 24 games. His 24 game streak ranks 24th in the country and is the longest active streak in the CAA.
Long Time Ranked
Saturday's game will be the 33rd straight game the Towson University men's lacrosse team will play ranked inside the USILA Coaches' Poll Top 20. The last time Towson played a game as an unranked team was on May 2, 2015 against UMass in the CAA Championship game; Towson received votes prior to the start of the league tournament.
The 33-straight games in the USILA Coaches' Poll Top 20 is the longest such streak for the Tigers in the Shawn Nadelen Era (2012) and longest stretch since 41 games between March 10, 2001-March 21, 2004. (Preseason polls did not begin until 2007 (this excludes games played before the first poll of the season came out. Preseason polls began in 2007).
Towson has been ranked inside the USILA Coaches' Poll Top 20 for 27 consecutive weeks. That is the longest stretch of rankings for the Tigers since earning a spot in the Coaches' Poll for 32 consecutive weeks from March 5, 2001-March 15, 2004.
Rankings Percentage Index
The NCAA released its third set of RPI numbers this week. With a 7-4 record, the Tigers checked in at No. 13. Towson had the second-highest RPI of teams in the Colonial Athletic Association, with this week's foe, No. 9 Hofstra (11-1), in at 10th on the RPI.
Class of the CAA
Since joining the CAA for the 2002 season, no program in league history has enjoyed more success than Towson University. The Tigers have racked up 58 total wins in the CAA, two more than rival Hofstra. Below is a list of the current members of the CAA and their win totals in conference games since joining the league. The Tigers have appeared in the conference title game a total of nine times, bringing home the trophy on a league-record six occasions.
Team: Wins (CAA Titles, Last)
Towson: 58 (6, 2016)
Hofstra: 57 (2, 2008)
Drexel: 49 (1, 2014)
Delaware: 31 (3, 2011)
UMass: 20 (1, 2012)
Fairfield: 9 (0)
Lending a Helping Hand
The Towson University men's lacrosse team has been successful on the field. But more than that, they have been successful off the field and engaging in the community.
The Tigers finished in first place among NCAA Division I men's lacrosse programs logging community service hours, 593, in fact, through the HelperHelper program. During the 2016-17 academic year, Towson has worked closely with ZERO Prostate Cancer, the Komen Race for the Cure, HEADstrong's Mustache Madness, USO-Metro and The Baltimore Station. The men's lacrosse team's efforts helped Towson University finish sixth overall among Division I programs using HelperHelper.
Causing an Effect
On April 1, senior longstick midfielder Tyler Mayes forced six Drexel turnovers, a career-best for the Bel Air, Maryland native. Mayes' six caused turnovers were the second-most for a Tiger behind eight from Peter Mezzanotte against Saint Joseph's on April 30, 2011. It was Mayes' second game this season with at least five caused turnovers, joining his five forces against No. 6 Johns Hopkins in a 13-8 win. He is one of just three players with at least five caused turnovers this season. Mayes has 25 caused turnovers this season, bringing his career total to 82, good enough for third all-time at Towson. His 29 forced turnovers this year rank fifth and just one adrift of Peter Mezzanotte's 2010 campaign total of 30. Mayes needs just 12 caused turnovers in the remainder of the season to take over first place for a single season, held by Ted Turnblacer with 40 in 2005.
Defending the Crown
In a conference as tough as the CAA, it's no easy feat to retain the conference crown. Since 2002, only two different member institutions have successfully defended the crown: Towson and Delaware. The Tigers won the league for the first time in 2003 followed by two more titles in succession. Delaware won back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011. The Tigers successfully defended the 2015 crown last season with a 4-2 win over Fairfield. Towson is the only member institution to three-peat and will look do so for a second time this season.
Let's Get Defensive
Defense has long been the backbone of the Towson University lacrosse program. Entering the 2017 season, it was a spot many looked to as a potential weakness with the graduation of three close defensemen and a goalie, two of whom were All-Americans. Head coach Shawn Nadelen and defensive coordinator Dan Cocchi have laid those questions to rest. After owning the best defense in Division a year ago, Towson is currently ranked ninth in Division I in goals allowed per game (8.00). Moreover, Towson has allowed the second-fewest total goals this season (88). Of teams with at least 11 games to their credit, Towson has allowed the second-fewest total goals, despite four new starters in the backfield.
Climbing the Career Charts
Several Towson student-athletes are already into or nearing career top 10s in several statistical categories.
Alec Burckley - 330 Career Faceoff Wins - 7th All-Time (Ben DeFelice - 357, 6th)
Ryan Drenner - 83 Career Goals - Shy of 10th (Bobby Griebe, Tom Wagner - 89)
Ryan Drenner - 68 Career Assists - Shy of 10th (Mark Miller, Jeff Peek - 72)
Ryan Drenner - 151 Career Points - Shy of 10th (Three Players - 156)
Tyler Mayes - 82 Career Caused Turnovers - 3rd All-Time (Ted Turnblacer - 92, 2nd)
Joe Seider - 111 Career Goals - Ranks 4th All-Time (Jonathan Engelke - 113, 3rd)
Joe Seider - 436 Career Shots - Second All-Time (Glenn Smith - 458)
Best in Baltimore
Local rivalries are always important. For a second-straight season, the Tigers squared off against the three Greater Baltimore schools, Johns Hopkins, Loyola and UMBC, in three consecutive games. This season, Towson went 2-1 against local rivals, beating UMBC 8-6 and No. 6 Johns Hopkins 13-8. Towson dropped an 11-7 decision against then-No. 12 Loyola. As of April 3, Towson was the second-ranked team in Greater Baltimore, ranking 15 in the USILA Coaches' Poll and 16 by the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. Johns Hopkins and Loyola are ranked 11th and 19, respectively, in the Coaches' Poll.
Over the last three regular seasons, Towson has controlled the Baltimore Area.
Towson: 6-3
Johns Hopkins: 5-3
Loyola: 3-2
UMBC 3-2
The Century Club
In the Tigers' 13-8 win over No. 6 Johns Hopkins, senior attackman Joe Seider joined an elite club in the Tigers' program history. At 14:02 of the second quarter, Seider potted the 100th goal of his Tiger career. He became the seventh player in program history to hit the 100-goal mark, joining the likes of Glenn Smith (154), Kevin Sturm (125), Jonathan Engelke (113), Matt Clune (108), Mike Burke (106) and Tom Nelson (105). Seider has 111 career goals and needs just three more to catch Engelke.
No Place Like Home
Since taking over the program for the 2012 season, head coach Shawn Nadelen and the Tigers love playing at the friendly confines of Johnny Unitas Stadium. The Tigers are 30-15 all-time at Minnegan Field, including a program-record 11-1 last season. The Tigers have never suffered a losing mark at home under Nadelen, logging three 4-3 seasons (2015, 2013, 2012) at home. During the 2014 campaign, the Tigers finished with a 6-3 mark at home. The Tigers are currently 2-3 at Unitas Stadium this season.
Local Flare
Not only did the Tigers play nine of their 12 games within an hour drive of Unitas Stadium, but the Tigers brought local talent to campus as well. On the roster this season, not only are there 26 student-athletes from Maryland, but of those 26, 25 are from within an hour of Towson University. The lone outlier is Matt Sovero, who hails from Easton, Maryland on the Eastern Shore, roughly 85 miles from Unitas.
Eight of the Tigers' 10 starters this season are from the Old Line State, including the entire starting attack and midfield units. The only two starters not from Maryland are Sid Ewell, whose hometown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania is 85 miles from campus, and Josh Miller, who will get to play near his hometown of Norwalk, Connecticut when the Tigers take on Fairfield on April 22.
Crabcakes and Lacrosse
Maryland has long been known as a hotbed for lacrosse talent. With 26 current players from the Old Line State, Towson is certainly reaping the benefits of that. Through the April 8 game against UMass, head coach Shawn Nadelen is 38-23 all-time when playing games within Maryland. This season, the Tigers will play eight games in Maryland, including six at Johnny Unitas Stadium. February 18 and March 11 were the only two games in Maryland in which Towson was not the home team. Nadelen has a sub-.500 record in a just one season when playing in Maryland, winning four of the nine games in 2012.
50 Nifty
Last season in the CAA Semifinals, head coach Shawn Nadelen picked up the 50th win of his Towson career, eliminating Drexel with a 10-6 win at Unitas Stadium. He became the third coach in program history to hit the 50-win plateau, and became the fastest of the three to gain 50 Division I victories. That game was his 81st contest at the helm. Former head coaches Tony Seaman and Carl Runk needed 88 and 89 games, respectively, to grab 50 Division I wins. However, legendary head coach Carl Runk is the fastest Towson coach to 50 total wins, hitting the mark in 1972 in just 69 total games in the Tigers' Division II Era.
Defense + Offense = Success
With a defense as heralded as Towson's, it's not a surprise to followers of the team that the Tigers have lots of success when the offense and defense pair well. Since head coach Shawn Nadelen took over in 2012, the Tigers are 36-5 in games when Towson scores double digits. When Towson's defense limits opponents to single digits, the Tigers are a whopping 53-8 in that same time, including the 10-6 win at Delaware (April 15). On 34 occasions, the Tigers have scored in double figures while holding opponents to single digits, obviously a 34-0 record.