TOWSON, Md. – The 2018-19 athletic year officially gets underway this Thursday night as the Towson University women's soccer team heads to Florida for a pair of games this week.

On Thursday, the Tigers take on the Bulls of South Florida at Corbett Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff. After a quick stay in Tampa, the Tigers make their way to DeLand, Florida for a Sunday afternoon showdown against Stetson University. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the Athletic Training Center.

Both matches will be streamed for free online. Check TowsonTigers.com for game links prior to kickoff.

First Year with the Tigers
Thursday night will mark the Towson debut for head coach Katherine Vettori. Prior to her time with the Black and Gold, Vettori spent six seasons as the head coach at nearby Loyola University Maryland. While guiding the Greyhounds, Vettori had a 56-49-18 overall record and claiming the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title on two occasions, the first in 2009 and the second in the Greyhounds' final year with the league in 2012.

Joining Vettori on the sidelines this season will be assistant coaches Matt Dwyer and Brad Hartin. Both assistant coaches have strong ties to the area, as the former served most recently as an assistant coach on the men's side at Loyola while the latter was the head man for the women's team at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Kicking it Off
The Towson University women's soccer team officially opens the athletic calendar year for 2018-19. This week's games will mark the first time in program history Towson will not only play in the Sunshine State, but play against opponents from Florida.

Big Returns
This fall, the Tigers return 21 student-athletes from last year's team. This will be an experienced team that boasts one redshirt senior (Emma Burnett) and nine true seniors (Megan Collins, McKenzie McCaull, Sarah Quick, Danielle Gardner, Lexy Andrews, Jen Balzan, Evelyn Neidert, Alexis Toles and Xavia Lemott). Of those nine true seniors, five will see action along the Tigers' backline.

Offensively, the Tigers return six of their top seven point getters from last year, including McCaull, who ranked second with eight points (2g, 4a). Also back are multi-goal scorers Sarah Quick (2g) and Sam Lotti (2g).

Fresh Faces
In addition to the 21 returners on the Tigers' roster, there are 13 newcomers to the program. Joining the Tigers this season are transfers Christiana Davey (Pitt), Chloe Sherry (Charleston Southern) and Sheyenne Bonnick (Mississippi Valley State). Newcomers include sophomore Rachel Lux and rookies Camryn Anderson, Olivia Ramirez, Jodie Burchell, Julia Owens, Jenna Blank, Grace Ambrose, Delaney Mitchell and Ashtyn Bethel.

With a Win Thursday
-       Towson would collect its first season-opening win since a 2-0 victory over Loyola to kick off the 2011 season. Last year, the Tigers played UMBC to a 1-1 draw on the road following a long lightning delay.
-       The Tigers would get their first road win since beating Lehigh 1-0 on Aug. 31, 2017.
-       Towson would earn its furthest-south win since beating the College of Charleston 2-1 in South Carolina on Oct. 6, 2013.

Record on Opening Day
Since the program played its first game on Sept. 9, 1992, the Tigers have had some success in their season openers. All-time, Towson is 9-13-4 in its first game of the year. Last season, the Tigers played UMBC to a 1-1 draw on the road in Catonsville.

Vettori will look to continue a strong trend among the head coaches of the Tigers. As she makes her debut as the sixth head coach in program history, three of the previous five have won their debut match.

- TowsonTigers.com –