TOWSON, Md. – In near déjà vu from last spring, the Towson University women's soccer team engaged in a physical battle against Northeastern, with the Tigers falling in the 109^th minute of the game.
 
Towson (6-4-2, 1-2 CAA) and Northeastern (4-6-1, 1-2 CAA) pushed each other to a scoreless stalemate into the second overtime until a pass into the box got Megan Putvinski open for the score with 1:09 to play.
 
The Tigers were previously undefeated in their last four games at home.
 
Key Stats:

• The game was near even in shots, with Northeastern having the slight edge 17-16.  The Huskies had 10 shots on goal to Towson's seven.
• Nia Christopher led all players in shots with five, putting two on goal while Demi Pierre finished with four shots, two on net.
• The loss in net went to Riley Melendez (6-4-2) despite nine saves and only one goal allowed.
• Megan Putvinski scored her first goal of the season for Northeastern in the 109^th minute, assisted by Faith Rosenblatt.  Reserve goalkeeper Angeline Friel (2-2-1), who entered to start the second half, got the win with five saves.

Postgame Quote:

• Towson head coach Katherine Vettori: "A very disappointing result to have a goal that late.  I'm proud of our fight, but the lesson learned here is that you need to stick your chances when you have the opportunities."

How It Happened:

• Towson had an early attack to push Northeastern keeper Megan Adams.  A third minute corner kick was kicked off the chance by Demi Pierre and saved, then a second corner received by Maja Hansson and headed was saved as well.
• Each side went back and forth in play, getting a chance here or there.  Nia Christopher nearly got the goalie off her line but missed her kick high in the 22^nd minute.
• In minute 30, recent substitute Eleanor Fisher took a long shot that was saved by Riley Melendez.  The two sides went into the break tied at zero.
• Action picked up at the start of the second half as a Rose Kaefer shot was saved by Melendez in minute 50.  Towson counterattacked with a feed to Christopher, who's low shot was saved by Angeline Friel.
• Holding off a couple of Northeastern pushes, Towson had a strong offensive attack starting in the 70^th minute.  Phoebe Canoles's long shot was saved, then a NE counter missed wide.  Towson pushed back and got to the box as a Jasmine Hamid shot was blocked, then a second chance by Christopher went high.
• Northeastern has a dangerous chance in minute 73 off a corner kick into the box.  Two shots in a span of five seconds were blocked, the Towson cleared away the ball.
• Towson nearly broke the stalemate off a feed to Khori Banks in the 85^th minute near the left post.  Friel punched the shot away at the woodwork, with the resulting corner not producing a shot.  The two sides went into overtime.
• Towson went for long range early in the first overtime, with Camryn Anderson missing high on a shot outside the penalty area.
• The visitors made a push on a free kick in minute 98, with Megan Putvinski shooting off the first touch and being saved.  Towson and Northeastern went into the second overtime.
• Minute 106 saw Alexandra Rush ran towards the box and drew defenders.  A couple of passes went to Pierre for the 20-meter shot, being saved.
• With 1:09 to play, a few passes from the left side came to Putvinski in the center of the box.  She converted inside the right post to send Northeastern to victory 1-0.

Inside the Numbers

• Riley Melendez earned a career-high in saves with nine. 
• Last spring season, Towson fell to Northeastern 1-0 in the 99^th minute.

Next Game:
Towson will challenge reigning CAA champion Elon in North Carolina on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
 
- TowsonTigers.com –