Football
Although Spencer Wilkins and Terrance West each had 100-yard receiving games, the football team saw its 10-game win streak snapped by Villanova, 45-35, Saturday night. The visiting Wildcats took advantage of three early Towson turnovers to build a 21-0 first quarter lead and the Tigers were never able to catch up despite outscoring VU 35-24 over the game’s final 50 minutes.
“Villanova is an exceptional football team and when you turn the ball over and give them 21 points, you are going to have a hard time winning the game,” said head coach Rob Ambrose.“I am proud of my team. We didn’t give up and we kept fighting like I knew we would. We just made too many mistakes.”
The Tigers return to action next Saturday afternoon, Oct. 19, with a 3:30 p.m. CAA game at Albany.
Swimming & Diving
Competing in its first home meet of the season, women’s swimming and diving earned a pair of victories over Hood College (final score of 239-49) and Howard University (239-40) Saturday at Burdick Pool. Numerous Tiger freshmen won events for Towson, including Carly DeLiberty, Davina Jaynes, Melissa Toy, Olivia Evans and Casey West. The sprint freestyle events were also productive for Towson, as Kaitlin Burke won the 50-yard freestyle and Amanda Barber won the 100-yard event.
Not to be outdone, men’s swimming and diving also won its meet with victories over Hood College (final score of 231-49) and Howard University (234-36). Freshman Brandon Ress won the 1,000-yard freestyle, and freshman Nick Breschi won the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard medley relay with teammates Billy Pappas, Zach Brech and Matt Collingwood. Freshman Tim Schade won the 200-yard backstroke with Breschi right behind him, and juniors Matt Lowe, Zach Brech and Grant Skinner finished first, second and third, respectively, in the 200-yard butterfly.
Both squads next face William & Mary and Georgetown in Washington, D.C,. this Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Senior Emily Banes became Towson’s all-time points leader with her equalizing goal in a 2-1 double overtime loss to James Madison Sunday afternoon. Her 76th minute tally propelled her past Christi Landi ’97 (70 points). Banes now has 71 career points with three games remaining in the regular season. She needs just one more goal for sole possession of first in career goal totals at Towson. She and Landi are presently tied with 27.
Women’s soccer closes out the season with three home matches, the first coming this Thursday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. against Northeastern.
Women’s Lacrosse
Women’s lacrosse used a strong performance from senior Rhiannon Coogle and junior Kelsea Donnelly to defeat the U.S. National team, 9-6, in a “Stars and Stripes” scrimmage on Sunday. The Tigers also defeated Stanford, 10-8, as part of the day’s events.
“It’s unbelievable to come out and play against some of the best in the world and for our girls to step out and play above their game,” said head coach Sonia LaMonica. “They played with so much heart and belief, and they played together. It’s a great building block for our season.”
Volleyball
“Double-double” performances from juniors Saitaua Iosia and Aimee Schubert were not enough as the Tigers fell at William & Mary, 3-2, Saturday. The Tigers finished the match with 91 digs, their most since 2009. Iosia finished with 14 kills and 16 digs to lead the team, Schubert posted a season-high 27 assists and 11 digs, and junior Paige Sekerak finished with a match-high 28 digs. That gives her 333 for the season and 1,201 for her career, fifth in program history.
Less than 24 hours earlier, despite a season-high 15 total team blocks, Towson fell to James Madison, 3-1, in Harrisonburg, Va. Towson returns to action this Friday, Oct. 18, when the Tigers visit Northeastern for a 7 p.m. match.
Field Hockey
Junior goalkeeper Brittany Varacallo made nine saves, but the Delaware Blue Hens used a strong second half to defeat field hockey, 5-0, in a matchup of CAA teams last Friday. The Tigers next face American University in the final non-conference game of the regular season this Friday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
