TOWSON, Md. –  The Towson University women's lacrosse team jumped out to a two-goal lead midway through the second quarter, but No. 16/16 Southern California used a 6-0 run en route to a 11-5 victory Friday night at Tiger Field.
 
Goals by Hailey Koras and Milana Zizakovic gave the Tigers a 2-0 advantage with 5:49 remaining in the opening quarter. After Southern Cal tied the game at 2-all, Lindsey Marshall and Valerie Thompson put Towson up 4-2 with 8:19 remaining in the half.
 
USC scored the final four goals of the first half and the first two of the second half to take control.
 
"USC has a great defense and put pressure to make us rush some of our shooting options," Towson head coach Kristen Carr said. "A big growth point for us was starting off strong in the second quarter, which has been an issue for us so far this season. Now we have to carry that momentum for two halves."
 
Jo Torres made 11 saves, while junior defender Shannon Sullivan set career-highs in both ground balls (six) and caused turnovers (four).
 
"Jo was a brick wall and Shannon was incredible from the draw circle to the clear to ground balls," added Carr.
 
After USC won the first six draws of the game, Hannah Delahaye helped the Tigers win seven of eight during the second and third quarters. She finished with a career-best four draw controls.
 
Records: 

• Towson – 1-3
• Southern Cal – 4-1

 
How it Happened: 

• After nearly six minutes without a goal, Lindsay Clarke fed Koras to give Towson a 1-0 lead with 8:59 left in the opening quarter.
• Three minutes later, Towson forced a turnover. Sullivan grabbed the loose ball and started a fast break. Marshall found Zizakovic who scored to make it 2-0 with 5:49 remaining in the first,
• USC scored 42 second s later then tied the game at 2-all 1:21 into the second quarter.
• Marshall put the Tigers back up with a free position score at the 9:37 mark.
• After winning the ensuing draw, Thompson scored to give Towson a 4-2 lead with 8:19 remaining in the first half.
• Southern Cal scored four goals in the final 5:22 to take a 6-4 halftime lead.
• Torres made two saves early in the second half to keep it a two-goal game.
• The Trojans scored two more times to lead 8-4 before freshman Katie Roszko ended the run with an unassisted goal.
• The visitors scored all three goals in the fourth quarter.

 
Inside the Numbers: 

• Zizakovic has now scored a goal in 28-of-30 games, dating back to April 2, 2022.
• This was the first meeting between the schools. USC started its women's lacrosse program in 2013.

 
Key Stats:

• Towson converted all 22-of-24 clear attempts.

 
Next Game: 
Towson will play its next two games on the road at UMBC (March 6) and No. 8/8 Loyola (March 9).