TOWSON, Md. – It's another split weekend for the Towson University women's soccer team. This Friday and Sunday, the Tigers take on Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania before hosting Utah State Sunday morning.

Game time against the Bison at Emmit Field is set for 7 p.m., while the Tigers and Aggies will square up at 11 a.m. at the Tiger Soccer Complex.

Links for all the action this weekend can be found on TowsonTigers.com

Last Time Out
In its first home game of the 2018 season, the Tigers played Longwood to a 1-1 double overtime draw at the Tiger Soccer Complex. After the Lancers scored in the 50^th minute, junior midfielder Justine Stoner tucked a shot in the top left corner to level the game. Senior forward Sarah Quick headed over the game-tying assist in the 57^th minute. Senior keeper Megan Collins made five saves as the Tigers out-shot Longwood 19-12, putting five chances on frame.

The Series: Bucknell (Bucknell leads 4-5-0)
Friday night will see the Tigers and Bison renew a series that has not been contested since the 2015 campaign. That last game, a 1-0 Bucknell win, was the first-ever game in the Black & Gold for this season's senior class. Towson has dropped the last two contests against Bucknell, both by a 1-0 count. Towson is looking for its first victory over the Bison since a 4-1 win on Aug. 29 2009 at the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational. Towson's last win in Lewisburg was a 3-1 decision back on Oct. 1, 2000.

The Series: Utah State (First Meeting)
Sunday's eye-opener will be the first-ever meeting between the Tigers and Utah State on the soccer field. The Aggies will be the third new opponent for Towson this season, a group that includes University of South Florida and Stetson.

Scouting the Tigers (0-3-1)
Towson is hunting its first win of the season this weekend. The Tigers dropped their first three games, two of which were one-goal affairs. Towson pulled even against Longwood on a Justine Stoner goal in the 57^th minute last Sunday. Stoner leads Towson's offense with a pair of goals, striking against USF and Longwood. She has already matched her career-high from her rookie season (2016) and did so in a third-fewer games. Senior forward Evelyn Neidert has two points on one goal while three different Tigers, Lexi Littlefield, Nikki Logan and Sarah Quick, all have one assist. Senior keeper Megan Collins has played all 390 minutes to date, making 19 saves against 54 total shots seen. Towson has been more aggressive on offense this season, averaging 11.0 shots per game while averaging 8.2 all of 2017.

Scouting the Bison (1-3-0)
Bucknell is the first of three Patriot League teams Towson will face this season. Later this year, the Tigers will play at Loyola (Sept. 6) before hosting Lehigh on Sept. 12. Bucknell enters Friday with a 1-3-0 overall record, topping Niagara 4-1 on Aug. 19, but falling to defending CAA Champion Hofstra, Monmouth and No. 7 Virginia. All three Bison losses this season are 1-0 games. Four different Bison scored in the win over Niagara. Of those four, Bailey Hurst leads the way in shots with four. Claire Mensi and Jenna Marek have three apiece. Theresa Adu-Attobrah has played all 360 minutes this year, making 31 saves and carries a goals against average of 1.00.

Scouting the Aggies (0-2-0)
As of Aug. 30, Utah State holds an overall record of 0-2-0. Friday night, the Aggies will start their Baltimore swing with a 4 p.m. match at the Ridley Athletic Complex at Loyola University Maryland. The Aggies dropped a 2-0 decision at Sam Houston State before falling 2-1 at home against Minnesota. Sara Noel has the lone Utah State goal this season as she scored in the 26^th minute to put Utah State up 1-0 on Minnesota. Ashley Cardozo leads Utah State in shooting with six shots. The Aggies have split time in goal, with Grace McGuire starting both games and playing 135 minutes, making eight saves. Marren Nielsen has seen 45 minutes of action, making three stops.

New State, Who Dis?
Sunday's game will be the Tigers' first-ever game against an opponent from the state of Utah. The Aggies will also be the second-farthest from Towson, Maryland the Tigers have played, edged out by the University of Southern California at a neutral site in 1998.

Illuminati Confirmed
So far in 2018, when Justine Stoner scores, the Towson University women's soccer team is a lock for extra soccer. The junior midfielder scored early against USF in a lightning-delayed overtime game, while also scoring last week to force double overtime against Longwood.

Wakey, Wakey. Eggs and Soccer!
Sunday morning will be a rare morning contest for the Towson University women's soccer team as the Tigers host Utah State at 11 a.m. It will be the Tigers' first match before noon since Aug. 24, 2014 when Towson bested Xavier 2-0 at the JMU Invitational in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In the CAA Era (2002), Towson is 2-3-0 in games that begin before noon, but have won their last two morning matches, both against Xavier.

Double Down on Sunday
With Sunday morning's early start, Towson athletics fans will have a chance to double down on action on South Campus. At 1 p.m., the Towson field hockey team takes on Sacred Heart across the street at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium.

In the Community
Earlier this week, a trio of Tigers volunteered their time with the Towson United U10 Maroon girls' soccer team. Seniors Danielle Gardner and Megan Collins, along with redshirt junior Sam Lotti, lent their insight to the next generation of soccer players.

- TowsonTigers.com –