The Game: Towson Tigers (5-1-1, 1-0-1 CAA) at Elon Phoenix (1-2-2, 0-0-0 CAA)
When: Thursday, September 14 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Rudd Field – Elon, N.C.
Broadcast: Live stream on FloFC, live stats at ElonPhoenix.com
Series: Towson leads 5-3-1

TOWSON, Md. – Towson women's soccer got back into the win column with a 2-1 win against Charleston on Sunday afternoon. Julie Lynch recorded her first goal as a Tiger in the first half with Nia Christopher providing the game winner late in the second half. The goal for Christopher was her 30^th in her career which ties her for the most in a career in program history.     

The game will stream on FloFC and live stats will be available at ElonPhoenix.com.

This will be the 10^th all-time meeting between the Tigers and the phoenix with Towson leading the series 5-3-1. Last year Towson went 1-0-1 against Elon with a 0-0 draw at Tiger Field and a 2-1 Tiger win in the CAA Quarterfinals in New Jersey.

HISTORIC 2022 SEASON:
The Tigers are looking to build off a solid 2022 campaign that saw Towson pick up their first CAA Tournament win in program history, falling to eventual conference champion Hofstra in the semifinals. Towson boasted the top defense in the CAA last year allowing just 0.55 goals against with 11 shutouts.

Towson also boasted their most wins since 2011 and the second most in program history.

BRICK WALL DEFENSE:
Melendez was a key part of a stalwart defense for the Tigers that allowed just 11 goals all season and seven in conference play. The senior from Virginia was named CAA Goalkeeper of the Year for her efforts that also landed her on the All-CAA First Team.

The Tigers will return all four starting defenders in seniors Sydney Cradle and Maja Hansson, graduate student Jacey Miller and sophomore Reese Borden. Hansson was named All-CAA Second Team in 2022 with Cradle and Borden recording goals from the backline.

RECORD WATCH:
Several Tigers are working their way up the record books with the chance to become the program leader in several career categories. Nia Christopher is currently tied for the program lead in career goals with 30. She became the program leader in game-winning goals with 11 after her game winner against La Salle.

Christopher also has 72 career points, good for second place all-time and is sixth in shots with 162. The Bermuda native is behind current teammate Phoebe Canoles in all-time shots, with Canoles recording 177 shots.

Goalkeeper Riley Melendez is second in career shutouts with 22 and is chasing hall of famer Tina Steck in first with 28. Melendez is also top ten in saves (8^th, 187).

NEWCOMERS:
Towson will have newcomers suit up in the black and gold for the 2023 season, including West Virginia and Maryland transfer Julie Lynch. Lynch played in 16 games with 13 starts last season finishing second on the team in assists (3) and scored one goal from the midfield.

Paelyn Bayer, Maddy Hall, Sophie Thibeault, Payton Todd, Brooke Rienecker and Teagan Gardner will be making their collegiate debuts for the Tigers. Hall, Thibeault and Todd have local ties having played in the Baltimore metro area.

CIERRA'S ON THE CASE!:
Junior Cierra DiSabato had the opportunity to complete an internship with the New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Unit this past summer where she got real world experience. Some of her duties included observing a forensic anthropologist on bone cleanings and reconstruction, as well as joining detectives digging up bones from a cold case in the 90s and visiting a morgue.

COASTAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION OUTLOOK:
The Tigers were one of six schools to pick up a first-place vote. In addition, seniors Nia Christopher and Riley Melendez earned Preseason All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) honors, as voted on by the coaches.

Monmouth was voted to win the league by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team. The Hawks picked up six first-place votes and 124 total points, just edging out Northeastern with one first-place vote and 123 points.

Reigning CAA champion Hofstra picked up three first-place votes in third place, just ahead of the Tigers. Drexel, Elon and CAA newcomer Campbell were picked five through seven with the Dragons and Camels earning a first-place vote. William & Mary, UNCW, Stony Brook, Charleston, Delaware and Hampton rounded out the 13-team field.

Christopher and Melendez each picked up preseason All-CAA honors. Both Christopher and Melendez were named All-CAA First Team last season with Melendez being named CAA Goalkeeper of the Year. Classmate Jasmine Hamid was named Honorable Mention All-CAA after finishing third on the team in goals in 2022.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:
Elon will be playing their first match since September 3 after their CAA opener against Monmouth on Sunday was postponed. The Phoenix are 1-2-2 on the year and are 1-1 at home compared to 0-1-2 on the road. Four different players have scored a goal led by Gabby Hoschek with a team-high three goals and six points. Grace Gelhaus has two assists to lead the Phoenix. McKenna Dalfonso has played most of the time in net allowing seven goals (1.75 GAA) with 19 saves (.731 save percentage).

UP NEXT:
Towson will conclude their road trip against CAA newcomer Campbell on Sunday, Sept. 17. Kick-off with the Camels is set for 1 p.m. on FloFC.