The Game: Towson (1-1, 0-0 CAA) @ George Washington (1-0-1, 0-0 A10)
When: Thursday, August 25 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: GW Soccer Field – Washington, D.C.
Broadcast: ESPN+ ($)
Series: George Washington leads 6-3-1 (Towson has won last one)
 
WASHINGTON – For the second straight Thursday, the Towson University women's soccer team is headed for our nation's capital as the Tigers play at George Washington on Aug. 25 at 4:30 p.m.
 
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, available via subscription.
 
CAA representative Towson fell in its home opener on Sunday, a 3-1 defeat to La Salle, to stand at 1-1 overall.  From the Atlantic 10, GW is playing in its third straight home game, coming off a 1-0 victory over William & Mary on Sunday to be 1-0-1 overall.
 
This is the 11th all-time meeting between Towson and GW, including games each of the last three seasons.  GW leads 6-3-1, but Towson took the previous meeting, winning 1-0 at home on Sept. 9, 2021.
 
Towson is set to play three Atlantic 10 opponents this season, including the previous game against La Salle.  After this contest, Towson will play its next four contests at the friendly confines of Tiger Field.
 
CHRISTOPHER - CAA PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Nia Christopher was honored as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year, voted on by the league's head coaches.  Christopher was second in the CAA last season with 13 goals, including five game-winners.
 
CANOLES - PRESEASON ALL-CAA TEAM
Team captain Phoebe Canoles earned a spot on the Preseason All-CAA Team.  The 2021 All-CAA Third Team midfielder started all 18 games last year, scoring three goals and four assists.
 
In addition, team captain Jacey Miller was CAA Preseason Honorable Mention, playing all 1,637 minutes on the back line in 2021.
 
CHRISTOPHER GOING FOR TU GOALS RECORD
Nia Christopher stands with 14 career goals in her Towson career, including 13 as a sophomore in 2021.  The Bermuda National Team forward is going for the record currently held by Emily Banes, who scored 30 goals from 2008-13.
 
Välkommen till Towson universitet
Towson sports two starters from Sweden: redshirt junior Demi Pierre, from Gävle, All-CAA Second Team midfielder in spring 2021, and Maja Hansson, from Sandviken, a junior 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.  She competed with Bermuda in the CONCACAF qualifiers, netting a hat trick against the Cayman Islands.
 
2021-22 USC COLLEGE TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD
For the fourth straight year, Towson was honored with the USC College Team Academic Award for having a team GPA of 3.0 or better.  Towson had a 3.31 GPA during the 2021-22, placing 16 on the CAA Academic Honor Roll.
 
LAST TIME: TOWSON FALLS LATE TO LA SALLE
Despite a late equalizer goal in the 81st minute by Phoebe Canoles, Towson fell to La Salle 3-1 after the Explorers scored twice in the final six minutes.
Top Towson offensive player:
--Phoebe Canoles: 1 G (81'), 5 shots, 4 SOG
Towson goalkeeper:
--Riley Melendez (L): 5 saves, 3 GA
 
tOP SCORERS ARE BACK
Fresh off its first winning season since 2007, Towson returns is top five goal scorers from last year: Nia Christopher (13), Khori Banks (4), Jasmine Hamid (3), Phoebe Canoles (3) and Demi Pierre (2).  Christopher's 13 goals are third all-time in program single season history.
 
In addition, Hamid (6), Canoles (4) and Pierre (3) were the top three Tigers in assists last year.  Hamid's six assists tied for seventh in Towson single season history.
 
RILEY READY
Riley Melendez is a two-time All-CAA goalkeeper in as many seasons with the program.  She played all but 20 minutes in the cage in 2021.  Her 121 saves stand 10th all-time in Towson history plus she has a career 1.50 goals allowed average, which currently is fifth all-time in program history.
 
FIVE SPOT IN THREE STATES
Towson has five players each from three different states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the home state of Maryland.
 
Two Maryland natives reside in Baltimore County: sophomore Chiara Menegatti went to Towson High while Phoebe Canoles attended Perry Hall High.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:
George Washington is predicted to finish tied for 10th in the Atlantic 10 preseason coaches poll.  Each of GW's goals in the early going have been scored by graduate student forward Rachel Sorkenn, who has taken five shots.  The primary goalkeeper is freshman Grace Crowe, who has not allowed a goal in 135 minutes of play, saving three shots.