The Game: Towson Tigers (4-0-0) at Maryland Terrapins (0-1-4)
When: Sunday, September 3 – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Ludwig Field – College Park, Md.
Broadcast: Live stream on Big Ten Plus, live stats at UMTerps.com
Series: Maryland leads 6-0-2

TOWSON, Md. – Towson women's soccer will close out non-conference play at Maryland on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers defeated local-rival UMBC in an 8-1 rout on Thursday night. Jasmine Hamid netted four goals, including three in the first half in the win. Phoebe Canoles added two goals and three assists in the win as the Tigers start the season 4-0 for the first time in program history.  

The game will stream on Big Ten Plus and live stats will be available at UMTerps.com.

This will be the ninth all-time meeting between the two schools with the Terps leading the series 6-0-2. This will be the first meeting since 2012 where Maryland took a 5-0 decision in College Park.

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 second in career goals (29), just one shy of tying Emily Banes with 30.  She became the program leader in game-winning goals with 11 after her game winner against La Salle.

Christopher also has 70 career points, good for second place all-time and is ninth in shots with 153. The Bermuda native is behind current teammate Phoebe Canoles in all-time shots, with Canoles recording 170 shots.

Goalkeeper Riley Melendez is second in career shutouts with 21 and is chasing hall of famer Tina Steck in first with 28. Melendez is also top ten in saves (9^th, 181), just five back of Susie Blanco in eighth place.

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.

WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE:
The newly renamed Coastal Athletic Association welcomed Campbell University, the 14^th program into the league, on July 1. The Camels come to the CAA from the Big South Conference after an 11-3-4 season in 2022 where they fell to Gardner-Webb in the semifinals of the Big South Tournament and a regular season title.

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:
Maryland comes into the contest at 0-1-4 on the year having earned three straight draws including a 0-0 draw on the road at VCU on Thursday. The Terrapins will be playing for just the second time at home this season, where they drew Navy 3-3 in mid-August. Lisa McIntyre leads Maryland with two goals and an assist for five points. Katie Coyle, Catherine DeRosa and Madison Krakower have also scored. Liz Beardsley has played every minute in net for the Terps, allowing six goals (1.20 GAA) and making 13 saves (.684 save percentage).

UP NEXT:
The Tigers will open Coastal Athletic Association play on Thursday, Sept. 7 against Delaware. Kick-off with the Blue Hens is set for 7 p.m. and will air on FloFC.