NEWARK, Del. — The Towson University Field Hockey team dropped a tough 5-0 decision to No. 23 Delaware on the road Sunday afternoon.
RECORD
Towson (2-9, 0-2)
Delaware (5-6, 1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Delaware wasted no time, getting its first penalty corner of the game under a minute into action. Goalkeeper Lena Vandam saved the shot.
- The Blue Hens got on the scoreboard first with a goal in the 10th minute. The score came off the rebound of a shot and save from Vandam.
- The opposition's offense kept the pressure on, but the Tiger defense stepped up to the challenge. Paige Reese came up with a big stop in the circle, halting a scoring opportunity for conference stand-out, Femke Strein.
- About halfway through the opening quarter, the Towson offense generated an opportunity in the attacking zone but it couldn't be handled.
- With just over 2:00 to play, Vandam came off her line to make a diving save. In response, Strein was awarded a penalty stroke which she converted on to give her team the 2-0 edge.
- Towson ended the first quarter defending two consecutive corners.
- Jenna Florenzo got a good opportunity to start the second quarter but couldn't get to the net. The two teams continued to trade possessions early.
- Towson picked it up in the second quarter, flipping the field and getting more chances in Delaware's defensive zone.
- The Blue Hens had some good looks in the final moments, but the first half ended quietly. Both teams failed to register a shot, corner or save in the second quarter.
- To start the second half, Delaware charged the circle, trying to generate an early chance but a foul turned the ball over to Towson.
- Georgia Beachley followed up with her own look, taking the ball from the midfield to the circle on her own. She was stopped by the defense.
- Although the opposition did generate a few scoring plays, the Tigers maintained more possession in the third than they had previously to keep Delaware between the 25's.
- With just over :30 to play in the third, the Blue Hens extended their lead after converting on their fourth corner of the contest. Strein hit a shot in from the top of the circle that was tipped in by Grace Hoepfner.
- The Tigers originally saved the Blue Hens fifth corner but as play continued, Strein found the back of the net to take the 4-0 edge early in the final quarter.
- Just a 1:16 later, Delaware scored its fifth goal of the contest and sixth of the season for Julia Duffhuis to secure the win.
BEYOND THE BOX
- Vandam ended the day with three saves after playing all 60:00.
- Delaware out shot Towson 10 to zero and put eight shots on goal.
NEXT GAME
Towson will face James Madison in its home CAA Opener ono Friday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. The Tigers will then welcome William & Mary to the TU Field Hockey Complex on Sunday, October 10 for a 2 p.m. start.