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Chop Gallagher at Virginia
Virginia Athletics
11
Towson TOWSON 0-1
20
Winner Virginia VA 1-0
Towson TOWSON
0-1
11
Final
20
Virginia VA
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Towson TOWSON 4 1 2 4 11
Virginia VA 4 7 7 2 20

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | John Stark

Men’s Lacrosse Drops Season Opener at No. 5 Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- After an 11 month hiatus, the Towson University men's lacrosse team finally returned to the field, but fell 20-11 against reigning national champion University of Virginia.

Towson (0-1) had hat tricks from James Avanzato and Brody McLean, who had two assists for five points. Jake McLean added two assists as Andrew Milani notched two goals as well.

No. 5/No. 6 Virginia (1-0) had a seven-point outing from Connor Shellenberger (4g, 3a) and Payton Cormier (6g, 1a). Charlie Bertrand had six points (4g, 2a) as well.

How it Happened
  • Virginia scored first 52 seconds into the season, but the Tigers got back-to-back goals from Avanzato four minutes apart for a 2-1 Towson lead.
  • Comier deadlocked the game at 2-2 10 seconds later, but it was another back-to-back set of goals for Towson from Brody McLean and Swain that put Towson up 4-2.
  • The Cavaliers scored twice more in the half from Cormier and Harris for a 4-4 first quarter. Virginia carried its run into the second quarter with five more unanswered goals. Milani broke Towson's dryspell with a fade-away jumper at 7:01 of the second. 
  • Virginia scored two more goals in the half for an 11-5 lead at the pause. The Cavaliers carried the momentum into the third quarter with three more goals.
  • Towson snapped a long drought as Avanzato finished his first career hat trick before Brody McLean found Milani on the back door for an extra-man marker.
  • The Cavaliers reeled off four-straight to finish the third quarter leading 18-7.
  • Down but still fighting, the Tigers won the fourth quarter 4-2. Koby Smith got his first of the year in transition before back-to-back goals from Brody McLean gave the lefty his ninth career hat trick. Alex Reid and Riley Gaeger scored their first career points on a goal and an assist, respectively, in the fourth.
Behind the Numbers
  • Virginia controlled possession with 50 total shots, while the Tigers logged 31, including 12 in the first quarter. 
  • Shane Brennan made a dozen saves in the game, making five in the first quarter. Alex Rode stopped eight Towson shots.
  • Virginia controlled the faceoff X, winning 24 of the 34 draws, leading to 56 ground balls. Towson had 35 loose balls.
  • After an 11-month hiatus, both teams struggled in turnovers; Towson had 21 while Virginia had 20.
  • Both teams played relatively clean in penalties; the Tigers were called twice while the Cavaliers were penalized three times. Virginia scored one on two chances, Towson made good on one of its three.
  • This was Towson's first game in 336 days after the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  • Virginia has won 11 straight against Towson dating back to the 2001 season. It was the first meeting between the teams since 2010.
Up Next for Towson
  • The Tigers return home for the first time since March 7, 2020 next weekend.
  • Towson hosts Saint Joseph's at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium for a 1 p.m. game between two former Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opponents.
  • The Tigers lead the all-time series 2-1, including a 13-6 decision in the last meeting (April 27, 2013).
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