The Matchup: Towson (4-1-2, 0-0-0 CAA) @ Pittsburgh (6-1, 0-0-0 ACC)
Place: Ambrose Urbanic Field – Pittsburgh, Pa.
Date/Time: Sunday, September 12, 1 p.m.
Broadcast: ACC Network Extra ($)
Live Stats: pittsburghpanthers.com
 
PITTSBURGH – The Towson University women's soccer team will get ready for its first game of the season against a ranked opponent, taking on No. 20 Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. on the road.
 
The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra, available with a subscription.
 
Towson's next three games are all on the road and on Sunday.  This road swing will lead into the beginning of league play on Sept. 26.  This is also Towson's second game this season in the state of Pennsylvania, including a 1-1 draw at Bucknell on Aug. 22.
 
Colonial Athletic Association member Towson is unbeaten in its last four games, defeating George Washington at home 1-0 for its third straight win and a 4-1-2 overall record.  Out of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Pittsburgh, ranked No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, is coming off a 7-0 home win over Saint Francis on Thursday to stand at 6-1 overall.
 
This is the first-ever meeting between Towson and Pittsburgh.  Towson is playing an ACC opponent for the first time since Sept. 2, 2012, a 5-0 loss at Maryland. 
 
MELENDEZ EARNS PRESEASON ALL-CAA HONORABLE MENTION
Riley Melendez was voted as a 2021 CAA All-Conference Honorable Mention in the preseason coaches poll.  Earning Second Team All-CAA in the spring, Melendez was a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Week with 31 saves on the season, allowing just five goals in the first seven games.
 
NIA IS NICE
Nia Christopher, member of the Bermuda National Team, is currently the CAA leader in goals, and tied for fourth in Division I as of Sept. 10, with seven, averaging one per game.  She earned Towson's first hat trick since Sept. 2019 with three goals, including a golden goal, at Mount St. Mary's on Sept. 5.
 
FORMERLY FANTASTIC FRESHMEN FOUR
In spring 2021, Towson placed four freshmen on the All-CAA and CAA All-Rookie Teams, the most all-conference players in a single season in program history.  Demi Pierre (M) and Riley Melendez (GK) earned All-CAA Second Team while Nia Christopher (F) and Phoebe Canoles (D) were All-CAA Third Team.
 
LAST TIME: TOWSON EARNS THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
A late first half by Nia Christopher off a second chance shot led Towson to a 1-0 victory over George Washington.
Top Towson offensive player:
--Nia Christopher: G (42'), 3 shots
Towson goalkeeper:
--Riley Melendez (W): 0 GA, 4 saves
 
BLANK HAS NO BLANK SLATE
Jenna Blank may be going for some records during the 2021 campaign.  She has eight career goals in 44 games, including 30 starts at forward.
 
The junior has three career game-winning goals with the Black & Gold.  One more ties her for 12th all-time in Towson history.
 
Välkommen till Towson universitet
Towson sports two starters from Sweden: redshirt sophomore Demi Pierre, from Gävle, All-CAA Second Team midfielder in the spring, and Maja Hansson, from Sandviken, a sophomore who played for the U18 Swedish National Team.
 
In addition, Nia Christopher is also from outside the U.S., being a member of the Senior National Team of Bermuda.
 
REPPING THE HOME STATE...
Towson keeps close roots to home with seven players from the state of Maryland, including three players from the home city: Towson local Chiara Menegatti plus Baltimore natives senior Riley Rumbley from Mercy H.S. and redshirt sophomore Phoebe Canoles from Perry Hall H.S., as well as another from Baltimore County, Danielle Maggio from Hereford H.S.  The other three from Maryland are Camryn Anderson (Columbia), Danielle Campbell (Ellicott City) and Caroline Macdonald (Bethesda).
 
CHRISTOPHER EARNS CSN WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK
With a combined four goals in two games, including a hat trick with a golden goal at Mount St. Mary's, Nia Christopher was recognized as the College Soccer News Women's Player of the Week on Sept. 9 along with her CAA Offensive Player of the Week honor.  Her performance led to two Towson victories, including a home win vs. Temple.
 
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1996 AMERICA EAST TITLE TEAM
2021 marks the 25th year since the Towson women's soccer team won its first league title as a program, winning the America East that season.  The Tigers needed back-to-back four-overtime games to win the tournament, capped by a 142nd minute goal by Christi Landi to defeat Delaware 2-1 and take the league title.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:
Pittsburgh ranks second in the ACC with 3.71 goals per game.  Pittsburgh native Sarah Schupansky, a freshman forward, stands with four goals, four assists and 20 shots thus far this season.  6-0 senior Katherine Robinson stands in goal with a 0.71 goals allowed average and 83.3% save rate in five contests played.