The Game: Towson Tigers (4-1-0, 0-0-0 CAA) vs. Delaware Blue Hens (3-2-1, 0-0-0 CAA)
When: Thursday, September 7 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Tiger Field – Towson, Md.
Broadcast: Live stream on FloFC, live stats at TowsonTigers.com
Series: Delaware leads 17-11-3

TOWSON, Md. – Towson women's soccer will begin Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play on Thursday when Delaware comes to Tiger Field at 7 p.m. The Tigers finished the non-conference schedule at 4-1-0 and are off to their best start in program history. Last time out, Towson fell 1-0 at Maryland on Sunday.   

The game will stream on FloFC and live stats will be available at TowsonTigers.com. All home matches are free admission to fans at Tiger Field.

This will be the 32^nd all-time meeting between the Tigers and the Blue Hens with Delaware leading the series 17-11-3. Last year the two battled to a 1-1 draw in Newark in rainy conditions. Sydney Cradle notched her first collegiate goal in the draw.

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 tied for eighth in shots with 154. The Bermuda native is behind current teammate Phoebe Canoles in all-time shots, with Canoles recording 171 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, 183), just three 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:
Delaware comes into the contest at 3-2-1 on the year after a scoreless 0-0 draw against Richmond on Sunday. The Blue Hens are 2-0-1 at home this year compared to 1-2 on the road. Delaware has conceded just four goals in 2023, allowing 9.7 shots per game. Three different goalkeepers have seen action in net with Kyla Burns recording 12 saves and not allowing a goal in 225 minutes of action. Kristin Wolf leads the offense with a goal and two assists. Seven different Blue Hens have scored a goal this season.

UP NEXT:
Towson will conclude their homestand with a match against Charleston on Sunday, Sept. 10. Kick-off with the Cougars is set for 1 p.m. at Tiger Field.