TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University field hockey team opens its 50
th season with a pair of contests at the TU Field Hockey Complex. First the Tigers welcome Appalachian State on Friday, August 29 at 4 p.m. before hosting Davidson on Sunday, August 31 at noon.
Head coach
Katie Gerzabek Salem enters her third year with the program after winning seven games in 2024, the most Towson has won since 2011. From that team, the Tigers return sophomore's
Anouk Westerink and
Olivia Miller who were both CAA All-Rookie selections as freshman, while Westerink became the first Towson freshman to be named to the All-CAA First Team. The Netherlands International was also one of two Tigers to earn Preseason All-CAA selections, the other being starting goalkeeper
Tessa Scheenstra who posted a career best save percentage and career low goals allowed per game average in 2024. Also, back for the new season is 2024 CAA Field Hockey's Leadership and Sport Excellence award winner
Megan Popp and 2024 Preseason All-CAA pick
Ella Kaufman.
The Tigers are welcoming eight newcomers to the team this season including six freshman and two transfers. Junior forward
Arden Hunteman joins the Tigers after leading Division III powerhouse Salisbury in scoring in both her seasons with the Seagulls.
Rosemarie Staal dons the black and gold after playing the past season in the third highest tiers of senior indoor and outdoor Dutch field hockey. Towson's rookie additions include forwards
Alaina Lomonaco and
Pearl Gunther, midfielders
Bailey Masten and
Ava McConnell, defender
Addy Smith and goalie
Riley Redding.
The captains for the 2025 season are Scheenstra, Popp, and Westerink.
Scouting the Opponents:
The Appalachian State Mountaineers enter the fall after finishing the 2024 season 11-8 including a 7-1 record in the Mid-American Conference. The Mountaineers return senior midfielder Lise Boekaar who tied for the team lead with 13 points on three goals and seven assists as well as forward Henriette Stegen who compiled 12 points and equaled a team high with five goals. Appalachian State has finished each of the last three seasons with at least 11 wins.
The Davidson Wildcats ended the 2024 season with a 7-8 record and went 3-4 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Wildcats top returner is senior Sib Naaktgeboren who led Davidson with five goals and 15 points and earned her second straight Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selection. Davidson also brings back senior Celie Constantine who led the team with five assists as a junior.
