TOWSON, Md. – Conference play has finally arrived for the Towson University field hockey team with games slated against Colonial Athletic Association foes Hofstra and Northeastern this weekend. The Tigers will host Hofstra on Friday afternoon before traveling to Boston for a Sunday mid-day matchup.
 
Last Time Out
Towson continues to make improvements against each opponent, but fell to Temple on the road Sunday 2-1. The two teams have only played each other three times but the last meeting ended with a 9-0 Owls win. This time the Tigers defense held the road team to just one point. Temple had a penalty corner in the last seconds of the game and after a foul was called during the corner, was given a penalty stroke opportunity with no time left on the clock. Overtime was approaching but the Owls took advantage of their spot and took the win after the penalty stroke went straight to the left side of the goal.
 
Scouting the Tigers
Entering this week Towson is 1-7 on the year. The Tigers have played just one overtime game this year but have five games that were decided by two or less points. Senior co-captain Katie McNeel continues to lead the team offensively with four total goals and one assist. Sophomore Abby Webster and freshman Kerri Thornton both have two assists each.
 
The Series: Hofstra, the Pride Leads 26-11
Friday will be the 38th meeting between the Tigers and the Pride, as Hofstra has the series lead. Towson last defeated the Pride in 2011 and last season fell to them on the road 4-0.
 
Scouting the Pride
Hofstra enters the contest 2-9, currently sixth in conference standings. The Pride's only wins are over VCU and Sacred Heart, both games ended in a shootout. Four different players have scored two goals apiece while senior Madison Reed has a team-high five assists. Hofstra has a freshman goalkeeper, Betty Bosma, who has started and played all 11 games with 86 saves and a 3.75 goals against average.
 
The Series: Northeastern, Huskies Lead 17-3
Sunday will be the 21st meeting between Northeastern and Towson. Similar to the Hofstra series, the Tigers haven't defeated the Huskies since 2011. Last season Northeastern came to Maryland and left with a 2-1 win. McNeel scored the lone Towson goal with eight minutes left but the road team's defense held out.
 
Scouting the Huskies
Northeastern also only has two wins so far this season, against Holy Cross at home and Columbia on the road. The Huskies are fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association and will host William & Mary on Friday night. Leading the offense is June Curry-Lindahl with five goals and Camille O'Conor with four. Sophomore Julia Gluyas has played 613 minutes in the net and has 59 saves for a goals-against average of 2.74.
 
Building a New Home
Construction continues on the new field hockey complex. Housed on the South Campus athletic fields will be a $2.7 million, water-based, carpet field for the Towson field hockey team. The new field will be a huge benefit for the Tigers on all fronts, including practice and the ability to host more home games. For this week's field update video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsvwipNfwsg&feature=youtu.be  
 
Tigers in the Community
The field hockey team will continue its collection drive with The Sports Bra Project all season long at home games. Last week the team spent time at Rodgers Forge Elementary School, serving scoops at the school's ice cream social.
 
Protect the Net
Freshmen goalkeepers Mackenzie Peacock and Ashleigh Bathras are continuing to hold down the fort. Through last week's games Towson goalkeeping is 33rd nationally in saves per game.
 
Home… for now
Friday's home game against Hofstra is the last time the Tigers will be home until Friday, Oct. 19 against Delaware. Only four home games remain on the schedule including this weekend's game.
 
Follow the Tigers
Don't forget to follow along with every home game on TowsonTigers.com with the live stream and live stats, and follow @Towson_FH on Twitter for live tweets while the team is home and away. Streaming information for all games can be found on TowsonTigers.com on the field hockey schedule page.