The Matchup: Towson (1-6, 0-0 CAA) @ High Point (4-4, 0-0 Big South)
When: Wednesday, March 20^th – 6 p.m.
Where: Vert Stadium – High Point, N.C.
Series: High Point leads 1-0
Last Meeting: May 12, 2017 - NCAA Tournament First Round (College Park, Md.): High Point 21, Towson 15
 
HIGH POINT, N.C. –  Two teams that have played in the last pair of NCAA Tournaments will meet in North Carolina on Wednesday, March 20^th at 6 p.m. as the Towson University women's lacrosse team takes on No. 23 High Point.
 
This is the seventh time in eight games where Towson is playing a ranked opponent in 2019.  Towson has played in the last three, and six out of the last seven, NCAA Tournaments, while High Point has participated in the last two.
 
The game will be at Vert Stadium on the campus of High Point.
 
Last Time Out
Towson earned its first victory of the season last Wednesday with a 17-9 home victory over Saint Joseph's at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.  At 7-6 Towson, the Tigers rolled off an 8-1 run into the second half to seal the victory.  Three players earned hat tricks: Kaitlin Thornton, Kerri Liucci and Rayna Deltuva.  On defense, Olivia Conti notched seven caused turnovers and five ground balls, helping secure a victory in goal for Kiley Keating with 10 saves.
 
The High Point Series
Wednesday's meeting will be the first time these teams meet in the regular season.  Towson and High Point dueled for the first time on May 12^th, 2017 for the NCAA Tournament First Round in College Park, Maryland, with the Panthers winning 21-15.  Kaitlyn Montalbano and Samantha Brookhart each had six points in that game, Natali Sulmonte tallied five points and six draw controls while Olivia Conti contributed three caused turnovers and two points.
 
Scouting the Panthers
High Point is coming into Wednesday at 4-4 overall having played its last two games in the state of Maryland, knocking off then No. 14 Johns Hopkins 13-10 and following with a 13-10 loss to Hofstra in Sparks on Saturday night.  The reigning Big South champion is playing its third of four games against CAA opponents, including an earlier defeat to JMU and a future game vs. Elon.  Junior midfielder and 2018 All-Big South Team player Ashley Britton is the team-leader in goals with 26, helping the Panthers score 13.75 goals a game.  Another 2018 All-Big South Team member, redshirt junior defender Meredith Chapman has a team-best 17 caused turnovers plus 20 ground balls.
 
Scouting the Tigers
Towson is playing its first game in a week and its final game until March 30^th, when it will host Yale at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.  The Tigers picked up their first win of the season over Saint Joseph's, with its defeats all coming against ranked opponents.  Towson brings a team that is sixth in DI in caused turnovers per game with two of the top individuals: 2018 All-CAA Second Team Sami Chenoweth is first in DI with four caused turnovers a game, totaling 28, while reigning CAA Defensive Player of the Year Olivia Conti is fourth with three a contest for a total of 21, adding 19 ground balls.  Sophomore attack Kaitlin Thornton leads the offense with Towson highs in goals with 15, assists with seven and points with 22, flanked by senior Natalie Sulmonte, a member of the 2018 All-CAA First Team, with 14 goals and 21 draw controls.
 
First-time Regular Season Game the Big South
Since the Big South's formation in 2013, Towson has never played a regular season game against any of its members.  The NCAA Tournament matchup vs. High Point in 2016 is the only time Towson has played a Big South opponent.
 
Back to the Tar Heel State
With this game, it is the second straight year that Towson will play a game in North Carolina.  The Tigers played CAA foe Elon last season. Other than its conference rival, Towson formerly played at UNC in each 2013 and 2014.
 
Just A…. A Few Tough Opponents
Towson has at least two more ranked opponents on the schedule following Wednesday's game. Currently Johns Hopkins is ranked 18/17/16 in the IWLCA, IL Media and US Lacrosse Magazine polls. The reigning national champion James Madison is ranked 7/6/6 respectively.
 
Tigers in the Community
In February, Towson University's athletic teams were celebrated as national champions after winning the NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Competition. The competition was open to all Division I programs and the Tigers finished on top with a total of 5,583 community service hours completed from September to November 2018 in the Greater Baltimore Area.
 
Join us at Johnny Unitas® Stadium
Tickets remain on sale for all remaining Towson 2019 home games. The Tigers will host Yale (March 30), Johns Hopkins (April 2), Elon (April 12), William & Mary (April 14) and Drexel (April 21). Please contact Scott Casten for more information or visit our ticket website.
 
Up Next
Towson returns to Johnny Unitas® Stadium for a matchup against Yale on Saturday, March 30^th at 3 p.m.