When Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018
Where Richmond, Virginia – Cary Street Field
Time 2 p.m.
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University field hockey team (1-5) will hit the road after being home for three games and face Virginia Commonwealth University (1-3) in Richmond, Virginia.
Sunday's game is set for 2 p.m. but is subject to change due to possible inclement weather.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Towson enters the contest with a 1-5 record after falling to Rider at home on Wednesday night. Senior co-captain
Katie McNeel is leading the team offensively with three goals and a team-high seven shots so far. Freshmen
Ashleigh Bathras and
Mackenzie Peacock have both spent time in the net this season, the rookies have a combined 17 saves.
LAST TIME OUT
The Tigers hosted Rider for a midweek game to make up last Friday's postponed game. The Broncs left Maryland with a 2-0 win, a battle on both sides. Towson led in shots through the game with six to the opposing team's three, but was unable to reach the back of the net. Rider's first goal was scored off a penalty corner and was able to score its second goal in the 44th minute after a back and forth in front of the goal. The home team forced four saves from the Broncs' goalie, but the 10-5 differential in penalty corners gave the road team more opportunities to score throughout the game.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
VCU comes to town with a 1-3 record ahead of its Friday afternoon game against St. Louis. With the possibly dangerous weather in the Richmond area the Rams moved up their conference game against St. Louis to a 3:30 p.m. start on Friday. Emily McNamara is the leading scorer with four goals this year and leads the team in shots with eight. VCU's goalkeeper Sasha Elliott has played 256 minutes in the net with six goals allowed and four saves for a goals-against average of 2.11 and a .400 save percentage. Most recently the Rams fell to William & Mary on Sunday 4-2. McNamara had a career day as she tied the school record for career goals but VCU was unable to secure the win after the Tribe scored its fourth goal in the 66th minute.
LAST TIME AGAINST VCU
Sunday will be the 22nd meeting between the two teams as the Rams hold a 16-5 series lead. Last October the Tigers hosted VCU on the last home game of the year and fell 3-0. The road team scored all three goals before halftime and forced a total eight shots from Towson's goalie
Emilee Woodall. Towson's offense was not as strong with just one shot on goal the entire game, and three total.
ROOKIE PERFORMANCE
The strength in numbers of Towson's freshman class is showing through in the team minutes stats. Freshmen Pamela Abbot,
Gretchen Alderfer, Katy Parkinson,
Kasey Bubel and
Paige Reese are in the team's top-10 for minutes played this season. Abbott leads her class with 409 total minutes played so far, senior Erica McKay holds the No. 1 spot with 430 minutes of action.
TOTAL TEAM EFFORT
This season has seen several Tigers score points and create situations for their teammates to score, five different players have scored a goal this season and seven players have registered assists.
LOOKING AHEAD
Towson will remain on the road next week for another Sunday afternoon game, this time at Temple on Sept. 23 with a game time of noon. The Tigers return for home action on Friday, Sept. 28 against Hofstra at 3 p.m.
