TOWSON, Md. – Towson women's soccer used a late second-half goal and big penalty kick save with time winding down to knock off No. 3 Monmouth to win the CAA Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

Towson (15-2-2) won their fourth in a row and their program-best 15^th win this season in the comeback win against the Hawks (11-6-2). Phoebe Canoles provided the game-winner off a feed from Jasmine Hamid with 10 minutes to go. Riley Melendez made a big save with six seconds left on a penalty kick to give Towson their first CAA championship.

Riley Melendez was named tournament Most Outstanding Player and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Joining Melendez was Maja Hansson, Nia Christopher and Phoebe Canoles.
 

Hear from Coach Vettori and tournament MOP Riley Melendez on the win and the big save.#GohTigers pic.twitter.com/6TliZ6L8Fj

— TU Women's Soccer (@Towson_WSOC) November 5, 2023

Key Stats:

• Canoles led the way with a goal and an assist on a Nia Christopher goal in the first half.
• Christopher had the first goal for the Tigers with Jasmine Hamid adding an assist on the game winner.
• Riley Melendez made seven saves in the win.

How It Happened:

• A scramble in the box in the ninth minute found the ball at the feet of Nia Christopher. Christopher got a shot off but it was stopped.
• Monmouth would strike first in the 16^th minute getting a goal to take a 1-0 lead.
• Jasmine Hamid had a good look in the 21^st minute with a shot from the top of the box that just went wide.
• Nia Christopher would tie it up in the 24^th minute. Phoebe Canoles sent a through ball into Christopher who beat the goalkeeper to tie it 1-1.
• Towson would have opportunities late, leading the Hawks 7-6 in shots in the first half, but the two teams entered the break tied at 1-1.
• Phoebe Canoles nearly gave the Tigers the lead early in the second half. She got a great ball over the top from Jasmine Hamid and her shot was stopped from about 10 yards out.
• Monmouth had a dangerous free kick in the 56^th minute but the shot went just high of the net.
• Riley Melendez came up with a big save in the 67^th minute as Monmouth continued to apply pressure.
• Canoles would strike in the 80^th minute. Jasmine Hamid would get around her defender down the left side and slot a pass to Canoles who sent it home to give Towson a 2-1 lead.
• Riley Melendez would close the match with a penalty kick save with six seconds remaining to give Towson their first CAA title and send the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament.

⚽️ @Towson_WSOC has won its first #CAASoccer Championship!

Riley Melendez saves a penalty kick as time expires to send the Tigers to the @NCAASoccer Tournament! pic.twitter.com/A8p6CXX0JU
— Coastal Athletic Association (@CAASports) November 5, 2023
 

Inside The Numbers:

• Towson won their 15^th game this season which sets a program record for wins in a season.
• The Tigers improved their home record to 9-0-1 this season with the lone draw coming against Delaware.
• Towson improves their win streak to four games and are outscoring opponents 8-1 during that stretch.

Next Game:

• The Tigers will advance to the NCAA Tournament earning the CAA's automatic berth. Towson will find out their opponent and game time on Monday, Nov. 6 with the selection show starting at 4 p.m. on NCAA.com.