TOWSON, Md. –
Emma Kirkpatrick records an assist on the opening goal of the night on her senior night as Towson women's soccer earns three points in the CAA opener against Hampton 2-0 on Thursday.
Kirkpatrick, who has played in the backline for much of her collegiate career, used that defensive acumen in a more forward role to disposes the Hampton defender, leading to the offensive threat. She found a streaking
Emely Rubio on the side of the pitch who connected on a cross with
Kale'a Perry who put the ball past the keeper at the near post.
"It felt really great to put my team ahead," Kirkpatrick said. "I saw Rubio open and she had an amazing cross into [Perry] and she finished it. It was good to have the one to nothing lead. Then Emma [Levin] also scoring another to clinch the win felt really good."
Before the game, Kirkpatrick was honored alongside
Luisangely Navas Gonzalez,
Gracen Houck and
Reese Borden on senior night for their contributions to Towson women's soccer.
"It means a lot for me to do this on my senior day," Kirkpatrick said. "I came from another school. Even though I'm a new girl, they still honored me. It made me feel even more part of the team. I love it."
Key Stats:
- Towson won the possession battle again 57-43.
- The Tigers dominated attacking guile, outshooting the Pirates 18-5. Towson had more shots in each half (11 in the first and seven in the second) than Hampton had all game.
- Hampton saved seven shots, two more shots than they had in total.
- No discipline was issued in the game.
- Four assists were recorded on the day by Kirkpatrick, Rubio, Jaelyn White and Sofia Rosenblatt.
How It Happened:
- The first half ultimately concluded knotted up at zero. Sophie Thibeault got the first shot on target in the 19th minute before two more tests of the Pirates' keeper happened in the 22nd and 23rd minutes, which she saved.
- The second half started with 12 consecutive throw-ins in the first five minutes and 44 seconds before a Hampton goal kick eventually broke the streak.
- The 57th minute saw the Tigers get their first score with the Perry goal.
- The second goal came off a goal kick when the ball was played to White who put the ball into the midfield to Rosenblatt before Rosenblatt's long through pass got Levin behind the defense for the easy finish.
- Towson killed the clock from there and left with the three points to open conference play.
Inside the Numbers:
- With results around the league, Towson is tied atop the CAA North with Stony Brook with three points.
- The Tigers have outshot the opposing team in all but one game this season, the road game against Florida.
- This is the second game the opposition has only got one shot on frame.
- This is the third consecutive game where Towson has had seven corners. Towson has had seven corners in five of eight games.
Next Game:
Towson will continue their home stretch to open conference play when they welcome William & Mary on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Tigers have won the last five games against the Tribe. William & Mary played Drexel to a 0-0 draw to open CAA play. The will air on FloCollege.