EMMITSBURG, Md. – Freshman Lindsey Marshall scored three goals and won a game-high four draw controls as the Towson University women's lacrosse team opened its 2021 season with a 10-7 victory over Mount St. Mary's Saturday afternoon at Waldron Family Stadium.
 
With the score tied at 4, Marshall scored back-to-back goals in a three minute span to begin the second half giving the Tigers a 6-4 lead. Nicole Liucci then tallied to give Towson a three-goal advantage with 15:34 to play.
 
The Mount rallied back to cut the lead to 7-6, but goals by Kaitlin Thornton and Blair Pearre (2 goals) gave Towson a 9-6 cushion with 3:23 left in the game.
 
After the Mountaineers made it 9-7 with 2:53 remaining, Marshall, who scored 54 goals and won 104 draws as a high school junior at Catonsville High School in 2019, won the ensuing draw, weaved her way through the defense and beat goalkeeper Jenna Oler low to complete her hat trick.
 
Carly Merlo made nine saves in the victory. All-American defender Sami Chenoweth caused a game-best three turnovers, increasing her school record to 154.
 
Towson also got production from all three transfers: Natalie Miller (Maryland), Nikki Sliwak (Maryland) and Olivia Malamphy (Boston College). Malamphy had a game-high four ground balls and caused two turnovers. Sliwak had one goal and one assist. Miller chipped in with a ground ball, draw control and caused turnover.
 
Records: 

• Towson – 1-0
• Mount St. Mary's – 0-1

 
Head coach Sonia LaMonica Postgame Quotes: 

• Thoughts on the game: "I thought it was the tale of two halves. We really switched gears in the second half. The defense and Carly in the goal did a really great job to not allow The Mount to go on runs in that second half."
• On Lindsey Marshall: "Huge game for Lindsey. She did some impressive things on the draw and she was a real spark for us on offense. She just found a rhythm. She is a talented player and I was impressed with how much poise she brought into the game. As a freshman, it is not easy but she took it in stride and she belonged out there."
• Discussing the transfers: "They all played important roles today and have made an immediate impact. You cannot miss Liv's (Malamphy) hustle and her scrappy play. She has such incredible quickness and speed. Natalie did a great job defensively as well and it was great to see Nikki get on the board. We moved her around and she found some real success working around the crease."

 
How it Happened: 

• Exactly one minute into the game, Kaitlin Thornton found a cutting Shelby Stack to give Towson a 1-0 lead.
• Trailing 2-1, the Tigers took a 4-2 advantage behind unassisted goals by Sliwak, Kerri Thornton and Pearre.
• The Mount score two unanswered goals to tie the game at 4 after 30 minutes.
• Marshall gave Towson the lead for good 21 seconds into the second half, scoring her first career goal from a free-position.
• Three minutes later, Sliwak found Marshall who made it, 6-4
• Nicole Liucci scored to give Towson a three-goal advantage with 15:34 to play.
• The Mountaineers got to within one goal with 11:51 to play, but goals by Kaitlin Thornton and Pearre pushed the lead back to 3 goals.
• After The Mount scored to make 9-7, Marshall won the ensuing draw, weaved her way through the defense and beat goalkeeper Jenna Oler low to complete her hat trick.

 
Key Stats:

• Merlo had a career-best save percentage (.563), stopping nine shots and allowing only seven goals.

 
Inside the Numbers: 

• Stack has now scored at least one goal in 21 of the last 23 games, dating back to 2019.
• Chenoweth scooped up two ground balls and is now just 3 away from tying Towson Hall of Famer Shannon Witzel (136)  for 10^th on the all-time list.

 
Next Game: 
Towson will host UMBC (0-0) on Friday, Feb. 19 at Tiger Field. Game time is 4 p.m.  The game will be streamed on Towson Sports Network with Ben Rosenbaum on the call. Live stats will be available on TowsonTigers.com. It is the first of four consecutive games for Towson, who will also host Loyola (Wednesday, Feb. 24), George Mason (Sunday, Feb. 28) and Stony Brook (Sunday, Mar. 7).
 
Starting this season, the women's lacrosse team will be playing in the newly-renovated Tiger Field. A new grandstand and press box were completed last summer. The facility also has all-new lighting, allowing for night games. The lights include the MUSCO Show-Light package for programmed light shows and effects. Tiger Field is part of the Lower Fields Complex, which also includes two practice facilities.