BALTIMORE – After a lightning delay of nearly 90 minutes, the Towson University women's soccer team got out to a quick start Friday night at UMBC Stadium, but ultimately played UMBC to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in the Battle of Baltimore.
 
Heavy storms came through the Greater Baltimore area, forcing Friday's game to begin near 8:30 p.m. instead of the scheduled 7 p.m. start.
 
The Tigers (0-0-1) opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but pressure early in the second half by the Retrievers (0-0-1) leveled the match in the 62^nd minute.
 
How It Happened

• After the Tigers earned a corner kick just three minutes into the match, the UMBC defense tried to clear the ball.
• Towson junior McKenzie McCaull collected and scored to put the Tigers up 1-0 just over three minutes into the fresh season.
• The Tigers continued to sustain pressure, getting the game's next four shots, including a McCaull header in the 11^th minute that leaked wide of the net.
• Towson keeper Taylor Sebolao was not forced to make a save in the first half as the first 45 minutes closed with the Tigers up 1-0.
• Opening the second half, UMBC turned up the pressure, putting up five shots in the first 15 minutes. Sebolao turned aside two of those attempts.
• The Retrievers tied the game in the 62^nd minute after a rebound got loose and Gabby Boehmer scored.
• After UMBC's Christina Corbi was hit with a yellow card in the 79^th minute, the Retrievers had a goal called back after UMBC player went offside just before the end of regulation.
• Sebolao made the only save of overtime, stopping an attempt in the 98^th minute.

 
Behind the Numbers

• UMBC out-shot the Tigers 12-10, including nine in the second half and another two in the first overtime.
• Sebolao finished with three saves, stopping two in the second 45 minutes. Her counterpart, Leah Roth, made four saves while her defense was credited with one team save.
• Towson took seven corner kicks, while limiting the Retrievers to just three.
• Friday's game was the first draw in the series, which Towson still leads 8-7-1. The Tigers are 2-0-1 when opening a season with UMBC.

 
Up Next for Towson

• The Tigers make their home debut on Sunday with the second leg in the Battle of Baltimore.
• Towson hosts Charles Street rival Loyola at the Tiger Soccer Complex.
• Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
• Loyola dropped a 3-1 decision Friday night at the Ridley Athletic Complex.
• Sunday's game will be streamed live and free on the Towson Sports Network with Ian Jett on the call.

 
- TowsonTigers.com –