Facing a Tough Task: The Towson University field hockey team makes the short trip down I-95 this weekend to take part in the Terrapin Invitational at the University of Maryland. The Tigers will take on the host Terrapins on Friday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. before facing American on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. Links to live stats the video feed for the Maryland game can be found on the schedule page of TowsonTigers.com. Fans can also follow the Tigers on Twitter (@Towson_FH) for updates.

Looking at the Tigers: Towson saw three players break through and score their first goals of the season last weekend. Valerie Hajek and Kendra Sykes both scored against Lock Haven before Beira Ho struck for a goal versus Saint Francis. Paige Zaleppa had a defensive save against Saint Francis. Emilee Woodall continues to stand strong in goal for the Tigers and carries a 3.14 goals against average and a .771 save percentage into the weekend.

Scouting the Opponents: Maryland checks in at No. 11 in the coaches poll this week despite a pair of tough losses at the Big Ten/ACC Cup last weekend. Bodil Keus leads the Terrapins with a pair of goals this season. Madison Maguire has dished out a team-best two assists. Sarah Holliday brings a 1.70 goals against average and a .773 save percentage into Friday's contest.

American, ranked 20th in this week's coaches poll, carries a two-game win streak into Friday's contest against Louisville. Leah DiGiandomenico leads the Eagles with four goals while Haley Bowcutt has two goals and two assists so far this season. Maura Jacobs enters the weekend with a 1.62 goals againt average and a .500 save percentage.

Series History: Friday's game will be the 31st all-time and first since the 2015 season. Maryland leads the series, 28-0-2.

The Tigers will be facing American for the first time since the 2014 campaign on Sunday. That last meeting saw the Tigers score four times in the game's final seven minutes for a 4-3 victory over then No. 18 American. The Eagles lead the overall series, 28-5-3.

Freshmen Strike First: The Tigers got their first three goals of the season this past weekend and all three came from freshmen. Valerie Hajek put the Tigers on the board at 18:20 of the first half with a rocket shot from the top of the circle. Hajek then picked up an assist on Kendra Sykes' goal at  54:01 of the second half. On Sunday against Saint Francis, Beira Ho knocked a rebound home for a goal in the second half.

Saves, Saves, Saves: Towson senior Emilee Woodall continues to come up big for the Tigers in cage. Woodall made 11 saves against Saint Francis and now has 37 saves through four games. She has recorded double digit saves in two games this season and in 20 games in her career.

Let's Get Defensive: The Tigers picked up their second defensive save of the season as sophomore Paige Zaleppa recorded one against Saint Francis. The Tigers are currently tied for second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) while averaging 0.5 defensive saves per game. Towson, James Madison and Delaware are the only CAA teams to have multiple players record a defensive save this season. The Tigers have gotten their saves from Zaleppa and junior Devon Hake.

In State Battle: Friday's game is a battle for the top Divison I team in the state of Maryland. Of the nine Division I schools in the state, only the Tigers and the University of Maryland sponsor a field hockey team.

Up Next: The Tigers split their action next weekend, heading to Rider on Friday, Sept. 15 before returning home to host Georgetown on Sunday, Sept. 17.