10-23-2023 12:39pm

TU SOCCER WINS

Hunt Valley Life Staff

WOMEN’S SOCCER DEFEATS HOFSTRA 2-0 FOR FIRST CAA REGULAR SEASON TITLE IN PROGRAM HISTORY

NEXT GAME:

vs. CAA Semifinals

10/29/2023 | 1 p.m.

TOWSON, Md. – In a season of firsts, the Towson women's soccer team knocked off defending champion Hofstra 2-0 on Sunday to win their first CAA Regular Season title in program history. The Tigers got a pair of first half goals from Phoebe Canoles and Nia Christopher to win on Sunday.
Towson (13-2-2, 9-1-2 CAA) surpasses their win total from 2022 with the win against Hofstra (12-4-1, 9-2-1 CAA) and now has their second most wins in a single season.

Postgame Quote – Katherine Vettori:
"It's been a long journey to get to this point and our student-athletes believed in our vision and took that leap of faith to do this with us and it's all coming together and it's exciting to make some history."

Key Stats:

Phoebe Canoles and Nia Christopher each scored goals for the Tigers. Christopher added an assist with Alexandra Rush and Sydney Cradle also adding assists in the win.
Riley Melendez made a season-best seven saves in the win for her 27th career shutout.
Hofstra outshot the Tigers 12-10 but the Tigers capitalized with two goals on four shots on goal.

How It Happened:

Towson nearly took the lead in the opening minutes. Phoebe Canoles had a good look off a corner kick in the 7th minute, but her header went wide.
Riley Melendez made a pair of saves and get some help from the crossbar to keep the game scoreless just minutes later.
The Tigers would break through in the 31st minute. Canoles took a ball from Nia Christopher and made a couple of moves before ripping a shot into the net to give Towson a 1-0 lead.
Just four minutes later the Tigers would strike again. This time Nia Christopher would find the ball off a cross from Alexandra Rush and Sydney Cradle and slot it home to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Hofstra would start the second half on the front foot by controlling most of the possessions early.
Towson had a good look in the 63rd minute with Demi Pierre just missing a shot high.
Nia Christopher almost had her second of the game in the 76th minute but her breakaway attempt was stopped.
Towson would hold off the Pride late to win their first CAA Regular Season title, 2-0 on Sunday.

Inside The Numbers:

The Tigers won their first CAA Regular Season title since joining the league in 2002. It is the second straight season the Tigers have made it to the CAA Championships, the first time going back-to-back in program history.
Nia Christopher scored her 92 and 93rd points of her career to add to her program record.
Riley Melendez recorded 27th shutout of her career and is now one shy of tying Tina Steck for the all-time record.

Next Game:

The Tigers will now await their opponent for the CAA Championship semifinals on Sunday, Oct. 29. The quarterfinal round will be played at Tiger Field on Thursday, Oct. 26 between William & Mary and Northeastern with the winner facing the Tigers on Sunday. Stay tuned to TowsonTigers.com for more information on the 2023 CAA Women's Soccer Championships.

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Thursday, Oct. 26 – Hempstead, N.Y.
No. 3 Monmouth vs No. 6 Stony Brook – 4 p.m., FloFC
Thursday, Oct. 26 – Towson, Md.
No. 4 Northeastern vs No. 5 William & Mary – 7 p.m., FloFC

Sunday, Oct. 29 – Hempstead, N.Y.
Winner of Monmouth/Stony Brook game at No. 2 Hofstra – 1 p.m., FloFC
Sunday, Oct. 29 – Towson, Md.
Winner of Northeastern/William & Mary game at No. 1 Towson – 1 p.m., FloFC

Saturday, Nov. 4 or Sunday, Nov. 5 – Highest Remaining Seed
Championship Final – Time TBD, FloFC