Opening Faceoff
Revenge Tour 2019 continues on Wednesday night as Towson looks to avenge a 2018 loss for a third-straight game. The No. 7 Tigers take on top-ranked Loyola, which topped Towson 12-8 at Ridley Athletic Complex last season. 

In The National Rankings
Both teams landed in the national top 10s this week. Towson occupies the seven slot in both the USILA Coaches' Poll and the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll while sliding up to six in the US Lacrosse Magazine Top 20. Loyola is the unanimous number one team in the country, earning the top spot in all three polls along with every available first-place vote.

The Quickly At-Home Tigers
After going 2-0 on the road over the last two weeks, the No. 7 Tigers return home to Unitas ® Stadium for a quick stay before heading to Carolina for three straight. Towson's offense has been potent this year, averaging over 14 goals per game. Brendan Sunday (11g, 8a) leads in points with 19 thanks to a nine-point showing last week. Brody McLean (10g, 3a) is second with 13 points. The latter is scoring on 43.5 percent of his 23 shots to date. Adding to Towson's potency are points from non-offensive players in Koby Smith (2g, 3a), Alex Woodall (2g, 2a) and Zach Goodrich (3g). Towson and its opponents have each scored eight goals in the first quarter, but Towson has dominated the final 45 minutes this season, out-scoring opponents 35-15. At the X, Woodall has been dominant in the early season, winning 73.2 percent of his draws and winning double-digit draws in each game along with 37 ground balls. Towson's defense has limited opponents to 7.33 goals per game, thanks to 42 combined saves from the big backstop, Tyler Canto. The junior keeper is making saves at a .646 percent clip. 

Scouting the Quick-Tripping Greyhounds
No. 1 Loyola makes the four-mile trip up Charles Street for a mid-week top-10 clash. The 3-0 Greyhounds are paced by two-time Tewaaraton Trophy finalist Pat Spencer, who has 21 points on 13 goals and eight assists. Kevin Lindley is second with 13 goals, two points ahead of Chase Scanlan's nine goals and two assists. At the X, Bailey Savio has won 54.8 percent of his draws (46-84) along with 19 ground balls. Defensively, Loyola is led by Ryan McNulty's seven caused turnovers and a second-best 15 ground balls. In goal, Jacob Stover has played all 180 minutes, making 48 saves at a 63.2 percent clip and has a 9.33 goals against average. 

Towson-Loyola History
Just over four miles of historic Charles Street separate Towson and Loyola. That said, the two teams will meet for the 62nd time since the series began in 1959, Towson's first year as a varsity team. The two sides have collided every year since then except for the 1980 campaign. Loyola leads the all-time series at 33-28, aided by a three-game winning streak. Towson's last win came at Ridley Athletic Complex during the 2016 regular season. Towson is looking for its first win at home over the Greyhounds since the 2006 campaign, an 11-10 victory. This will be the second time Towson meets a top-ranked Loyola team.

Towson-Loyola By the Numbers
All-Time Series Record Loyola 33-28
at Towson Loyola 11-9
at Loyola Loyola 13-11
at Neutral Sites Tied 1-1
at Unknown Sites Tied 7-7
First Meeting 1959 (Loyola 8-6)
Last Meeting  Feb. 28, 2018 
#9 Loyola 12, Towson 8
Streak Towson -3

Last Time Out vs. Loyola | Feb. 28, 2018 | Baltimore, Md. | Ridley Athletic Complex
A 5-2 fourth-quarter was the difference in Baltimore as No. 9 Loyola slipped past unranked Towson last season as the Tigers trailed 7-6 on the road entering the final frame. Timmy Monahan finished with five points on three goals and two assists for the Tigers while Brendan Sunday scored twice. Shane Brennan made 14 saves in goal for the Tigers. Pat Spencer logged four goals and three assists to lead the Greyhounds while Kevin Lindley logged a hat trick. Jacob Stover stopped seven Tiger shots.

With a Win Wednesday Towson Would...
- Improve to 4-0 for the first time since opening 2016 with a 5-0 record.
- See Towson go to 2-0 at home this season.
- Hand Shawn Nadelen the 76th win of his career.
- Be Towson's first win over a top-ranked opponent since an 8-7 overtime win over Loyola on April 4, 1992.
- End a three-game slide against the Greyhounds
- Snap an 18-game losing streak against top-ranked opponents.
- Improve Towson to 3-0 against Maryland schools this season.
- Be the Tigers third win over a top-20 opponent this season and the second at home.
- Be Nadelen's 17th career win over a top-20 opponent.

CB30 Award
Over the summer, Towson Lacrosse great Carl Beernink passed away. An integral part of the program's rise to dominance in the 1990s, Carl was a leader and inspiration to the program both on and off the field. This season, Zach Goodrich will wear a CB30 patch in place of his captain's C to honor the late Carl Beernink. This annual award will be given to a Towson player who embodies the fighting spirit of Carl Beernink.

Throwing it Back (Again)
For a second time this season the Towson University men's lacrosse team will wear throwback porthole-style jerseys, including Saturday's season opener against Johns Hopkins. The third game will be Saturday, March 30 against Hofstra.

The kit harkens back to the program's golden years in the early 90s, including a run to the national championship game in 1991. The gold jerseys feature the word Towson across the chest with black and white pipping on the neck and sleeves. The CAA logo is emblazoned on the left sleeve while the American flag is on the back shoulder panel.

Towson's Cascade S helmets feature decals akin to the bucket-helmet style helmets worn back in the day. Included in the decals on the back panel are laces, a nod to the tie-back style of the helmets from yesteryear. On the side of the helmets is an old school Towson logo, similar to the style worn in the 1990s.

Climbing the Charts
Senior faceoff specialist Alex Woodall is in his third season with the program after transfering from High Point University following his rookie season. The Annapolis, Marylander has made a lasting impact already with his 408 faceoffs in the Black & Gold. He currently ranks fourth all-time in program history, surpassing Mark Goers (375) in the win over Johns Hopkins. Up next on the list is Scott Mullins, who won 411 draws from 1983-86. Towson Hall of Famer Justin Berry holds the program record with 507 from 1998-2001.

All-Time Faceoff Leader Board
1. 507 Justin Berry 1998-01
2. 466 Matt Eckerl 2004-07
3. 411 Scott Mullins 1983-86
4. 408 Alex Woodall 2017-Pres. (Career at Towson)
5. 375 Mark Goers 1993-95

All-Time vs. Number One
Wednesday's game will be the 27th meeting all-time in the Division I Era (1980) against a team ranked first in the USILA Coaches' Poll. Towson has not played the number one team in the country since the 2012 CAA Semifinals against UMass in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Tigers, in their first season under Shawn Nadelen, fell 10-3 on the road against a loaded Minutemen squad that featured Doc Schneider in goal and Will Manny at attack.

The Tigers have squared off with a Loyola squad ranked first on two previous ocassions. Towson is 1-1 in those match ups, falling 16-14 in the most recent tussle on April 3, 1999 but has one home win over No. 1 Loyola, an 8-7 overtime thriller on April 4, 1992.

Towson is 2-24 all-time against number one teams. The first win over number one in program history served as the Tigers' first-ever win over Johns Hopkins, a 9-8 overtime win on May 6, 1989.

Rack 'em Up x3 (maybe 4?)
In the Tigers' season opener, Towson hung 17 goals against No. 7 Johns Hopkins. It was the most goals scored by the Tigers against the Blue Jays in series history. Noted by Spiro Morekas, it was also the most goals scored by the Tigers in a season opener since tagging UMBC for 18 to open the 1998 season. It marked the second time in the last four games at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium the Tigers scored 17 goals after besting CAA rival Drexel 17-9 on April 6, 2018.

With the 12-7 win over Mount St. Mary's on Friday, Feb. 17 the Tigers surpassed the 10-goal mark in back to back games. It is the first time since besting The Mount 15-13 and falling to Georgetown 12-10 that Towson scored double-digit goals in back-to-back games.

After besting Georgetown 14-8 last Saturday, Towson reached double-digit goals in the first three game for the first time since 2002, logging games of 15, 23 and 10. Towson has not hit double digits in the first four games of the year since the 1994 campaign, stinging games of 20, 14, 15 and 16.

X Marks the Spot
With his dominate performance at the X against Hopkins, going 21-of-28 followed by a 12-of-20 showing at The Mount, senior faceoff expert Alex Woodall has won double-digit draws in each of this last seven games, including a 19-of-23 effort at No. 16 Georgetown. Over that stretch, he has won 115 of his 156 draws, a remarkable 73.7 winning percentage at the X. Woodall has grabbed 75 ground balls in that span.

Hats Off!
Entering the 2018 season, Towson's active roster had combined for four hat tricks. Brendan Sunday had three, Matt Sovero had two and Timmy Monahan had one.

Kicking off the 2019 campaign, the Tigers have already turned in six hat tricks. Brody McLean and Brendan Sunday have a pair each while Timmy Monahan and Luke Fromert have one apiece. Sunday had a "sock trick" with six goals the season opener on Feb. 9.

Nine Times? NIIINE TIMES.
Senior attackman Brendan Sunday continued his torrid scoring pace this season, adding another nine points to his season total last weekend at No. 16 Georgetown. The 6-4 tower scored all four of his goals in the decesive fourth quarter while dishing out two helpers in that frame. Sunday had a hand in five-straight goals in the final 18 minutes for the Tigers.

Sunday on a Saturday
Brendan Sunday had himself a nice little Saturday against Johns Hopkins as he scored a "sock trick" with six goals. He added two assists for a tidy little eight-point afternoon. He became the first Towson player to score six goals in a game since Jon Mazza notched the equal number against Mount St. Mary's in 2017. He is the first Tiger to score six goals at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium since Jonathan Engelke hit for eight against Villanova on April 3, 2004, a 20-11 Tiger victory.

Wearing the C
This season, head coach Shawn Nadelen and his staff announced four student-athletes that will serve as captains for the 2019 season.

Senior defensive midfielder Zach Goodrich is the program's first-ever three-time captain.

Senior attackman Brendan Sunday will be a first-time captain.

Senior defensive midfielder Jimmie Wilkerson will be a first-time captain.

Senior faceoff specialist Alex Woodall will be a first-time captain.

Sunday, Wilkerson and Woodall will wear captains' Cs on their jerseys while Goodrich will have the CB30 patch in lieu of the captains letter.

Weekly Honors: Week of Feb. 24
It was another solid showing for the Towson University men's lacrosse team in its second game of the season as Towson topped No. 16 Georgetown 14-8 on the road last week.

One Tiger earned two weekly honors while a third collected a TowsonTigers.com award.

Brendan Sunday: CAA Player of the Week, USILA Division I Team of the Week

Alex Woodall: NewDay USA Male Student-Athlete of the Week on TowsonTigers.com.

Preseason Honors
Three Tigers were named to the All-CAA Preseason Team. 

Senior defensive midfielder Zach Goodrich was voted as a Co-Preseason Player of the Year and earned All-CAA Preseason honors. 

Sophomore Koby Smith was selected to the preseason team as a longstick midfielder, though he may see time at close defense.

Senior Alex Woodall earned a spot on the Preseason Team as the league's top faceoff specialist.

Towson vs. The DMV (as of Monday, Feb. 25)
Competition among the eight Division I Men's Lacrosse teams in the Greater DMV is always fierce. Since head coach Shawn Nadelen took over the program in 2012, the Tigers are 24-15 against a combination of Maryland, Loyola, Hopkins, Georgetown, UMBC, Navy and Mount St. Mary's. 

Team Record Winning Percentage
Maryland 21-6 .777
Loyola 24-8 .750
Johns Hopkins 26-15 .634
Towson 26-15 .634
Georgetown 9-15 .375
Navy 6-21 .222
UMBC 6-20 .231
The Mount 3-21 .125

Home Cooking (As of Feb. 19)
As the 2019 season got underway, the Tigers have some home cooking to look forward to. The Tigers opened the 2019 home slate with a dominating 17-8 win over No. 7 Johns Hopkins on Feb. 9 after capping last year's regular season with back-to-back home games at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium, which is a good thing. Since head coach Shawn Nadelen took over the program in 2012, no current member of the CAA has won more home games than the Tigers. 

Team: Home Record Since 2012
Towson: 40-18
Hofstra: 35-22
Drexel: 30-18
UMass: 30-22
Fairfield: 30-23
Delaware: 23-31 

Near. Far. Wherever You Are.
Playing for the home crowd is always a pleasure for any team. But the Tigers have had success on the road in the Shawn Nadelen Era as well. Since taking over the program in 2012, the Tigers have racked a 31-25 (.554) record in road games.

Community Service National Champions
In the fall 2018 semester the Towson University athletic teams completed the most community service hours among all schools in the NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Competition. Tiger student-athletes and staff completed 5,583 hours of community service from September to November in the Greater Baltimore Area. Towson's national championship in community service was celebrated at the Feb. 14th men's basketball game against Delaware.

How Big is a Tiger?
Not only has the roster size gotten larger this year, but the student-athletes that comprise have gotten bigger as well. Since Shawn Nadelen took over the program in 2012, the Tigers have gotten bigger and heavier. As researched by former Media Relations Student Intern Zoë Winslow, below are the average heights (in inches) and weights (in pounds) for the last seven Towson University men's lacrosse teams.
2012: 71.2 / 182.3
2013: 71.4 / 182.3
2014: 71.5 / 182.7
2015: 71.5 / 184.2
2016: 71.4 / 183.9
2017: 72.0 / 187.9
2018: 72.0 / 187.2
2019: 72.4 / 190.3

One and Done
Since head coach Shawn Nadelen took over the program in 2012, the Tigers have found themselves in some tight contests. The April 28 game against Fairfield marked the 30th time Towson was involved in a one-goal game. And the Tigers have flexed their clutch muscles in those games, sitting at 21-9 in games decided by one goal after an 8-7 win at home. In overtime games, Towson is now 4-4 and has won two of its last three extra-stanza contests, both wins coming on the road at Ohio Stadium. 

Defense + Offense = Success
With a defense as heralded as Towson's, it's not a surprise to followers of the team that the Tigers have lots of success when the offense and defense pair well. Since head coach Shawn Nadelen took over in 2012, the Tigers are 46-7 in games when Towson scores double digits. When Towson's defense limits opponents to single digits, the Tigers are a whopping 67-10 in that same time after a 14-8 win at No. 16 Georgetown. On 42 occasions, the Tigers have scored in double figures while holding opponents to single digits, obviously a 42-0 record.