TOWSON, Md. – Friday kicks off the 2019 field hockey season at Towson University. The Tigers are set to host Appalachian State on Friday at 3 p.m. at the TU Field Hockey Complex.
Looking at 2019
The season opener is one of 11 games that Towson will play at home this season. The 2019 schedule, announced earlier this summer, holds eight road trips. After this weekend's home game, the Tigers spend one weekend away at Lehigh and Colgate before returning home to host Maryland. Also coming to Towson this season is La Salle, Rider, Bucknell, Davidson, Northeastern, Georgetown, Temple, James Madison and William & Mary.
2019 Roster
The 29-player roster is set with 13 freshmen and three transferred sophomores. The Tigers have 13 players returning who played last year under head coach
E.A. Jackson. Towson has three newcomers that will look for the title of "starting goalkeeper" in freshman
Tess Okkerse and sophomores
Camille Pottillo and
Megan Nemecek.
New Faces
Monday was the first day of classes at Towson, where 13 members of the field hockey team attended their first day of college courses. Joining Okerrse in the rookie class are
Elizabeth Harper,
Dominique Nelson,
Samantha Aljets,
Hannah McKeon,
Hannah King,
Mackenzie Tillman,
Georgia Beachley,
Allison Fischer, Melissa and
Megan McGlothlin,
Jessica Krewson and
Gianna Antone.
First Season at TU Field Hockey Complex
This year will be the first full season of field hockey played on the turf at the TU Field Hockey Complex located beside the Towson Softball Field. In 2018, Towson University and the athletic department celebrated the opening of the new field and it was the game site for last year's season finale against Lehigh. Returning junior
Beira Ho scored the first Tiger goal on the new field.
Opponent Notes
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Preseason Coaches Poll was released Tuesday afternoon, including two 2019 opponents for Towson. Entering the season Maryland holds on at No. 2 while William & Mary, the defending Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) champion, is ranked No. 25. One game on the 2019 calendar has a special mark, as the Tigers travel to Houston to face Miami (Ohio). The Oct. 3rd matchup will be the first NCAA field hockey game played in the state of Texas. The Redhawks are favored to win the Mid-American Conference (MAC) after taking the 2018 crown and playing in the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second straight year.
Friday's Contest
The season opener against Appalachian State will start at 3 p.m. and will be streamed by the Towson Sports Network. Links for the live stream and live stats are available on the field hockey schedule page.
