BALTIMORE – The Towson University women's soccer team returned to the field for the first time in 490 days in a rain-soaked UMBC Stadium, battling the Retrievers to a scoreless draw on Sunday afternoon.
 
Towson (0-0-1) had a strong second half push with six shots in that period to put pressure on UMBC (0-0-1).  But neither side could connect in the rough weather conditions.
 
Towson is now unbeaten against UMBC in its last 10 games dating back to 1999.
 
Key Stats:

• The stats were pretty even by both sides with Towson having 11 shots to UMBC's 12.  Towson led in corner kicks 3-2.
• In her first collegiate game, Riley Melendez notched the shutout with eight saves.  Nia Christopher led Towson with three shots, putting two on goal, while each Phoebe Canoles and Madison Carr had two shots.
• For UMBC, Jade Wilkins had a shutout in goal with five saves.  Christina Corbi led all players with eight shots, five on cage.

Postgame Quote:
--Towson head coach Katherine Vettori: "It was obvious that it has been 70 weeks since we have played.  However, it is a starting point and there were many positives.  I'm pleased we showed resilience as we played nearly half the game a player down due to a red card, plus we created several very quality chances."
 
"Today, in difficult weather conditions, it was good to establish a baseline.  We have a lot of work to do to prepare for CAA play.  We bent today, but did not break."
 
How It Happened:

• Towson and UMBC lined up on the UMBC Stadium with the rain coming down.  The weather kept the face of the game slower in the first half.
• The Tigers got an early chance on a corner kick just after the opening minute, but did not get a shot off.  The teams went back and forth, trading possessions.  UMBC got chances in the 11^th and 26^th minutes, with Riley Melendez making saves on each shot towards the middle of the cage.
• Jenna Blank got a good look at the cage in the 34^th minute, sending a shot towards the left post, but seeing it saved by UMBC keeper Jade Wilkins.
• Minutes after a third save by Melendez, Towson's reserves got a late push.  Madison Carr got off a shot, but sent the ball wide in the 41^st minute.  The score was tied 0-0 at the break.
• Into the second half, Towson nearly got on the scoreboard in the 53^rd minute.  Maja Hansson took a shot that slammed the crossbar.  On a second chance, Khori Banks went for a low shot, with Wilkins coming up with the save.
• Towson pushed in minute 65 off a UMBC foul and got two chances on corner kicks.  Phoebe Canoles got a shot off that was blocked, and the Tigers did not get a shot off in the next chance.
• Action picked up in the later minutes.  Melendez got a fifth save in the 76^th minute.  Carr counterattacked and sent one to cage, that being saved as well.
• On UMBC's first chance in the 81^st, Melendez saved a shot towards the lower corner.  Later, Towson had its best opportunity as Nia Christopher had a penalty kick in the 87^th minute, but her shot hit the crossbar.  The game went into overtime.
• Early into overtime, Christopher got a second chance at the net and aimed for the corner, again being saved.  Minutes later, Canoles got another look and sent the ball high.
• UMBC had a push in the closing minutes of the first overtime from Christina Corbi.  Melendez saved her straight away shot as the game went into a second overtime.
• UMBC's final attack came again from Corbi, whom Melendez turned away in the 108^th minute.  Christopher had one final look but was stopped in the 10^th minute as the two sides had to settle for a draw.

Inside the Numbers:

• Towson opens the season with a draw for the first time since Aug. 18, 2017, a 1-1 draw at UMBC.
• Making their Towson debut today: Riley Melendez, Nia Christopher, Maja Hansson, Danielle Maggio, Alexandra Rush, Sierra Granata, Khori Banks.

Next Game:
Next Friday, Towson heads to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m.
 
- TowsonTigers.com –