TOWSON, Md. – Junior midfielder Nikki Marcinik (Southern H.S./Deale, Md.) scored three goals and added a career-high three assists as Towson University (6-3) overcame an early deficit to earn its second win in the last three games, a 16-7 non-conference victory over Johns Hopkins University (4-6) at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Marcinik was one of four Tigers to record a “hat trick” in the victory as Towson recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the first half to snap an eight-game losing streak against the Blue Jays.

“We have a lot of offensive weapons on our team and it's hard to stop just one person,” Coach Missy Doherty said. “When the goals start coming, it's hard to figure out who to stop. It was great for a lot of scorers to step up today.”

After the teams traded goals in the opening five minutes, the Blue Jays took a 3-1 lead when sophomore midfielder Brianna Cronin (Arlington H.S./Arlington, Mass.) and freshman attacker Candace Rossi (Farmingdale H.S./Farmingdale, N.Y.) tallied back-to-back goals.

However, the Tigers responded by scoring seven straight goals to take an 8-3 lead just 22 seconds into the second half. Marcinik and senior midfielder Britt Woodfield (South Carroll H.S./New Windsor, Md.) each scored two goals and had an assist during the spurt.

After a goal by freshman midfielder Colleen McCaffrey (Mount Sinai H.S./Mount Sinai, N.Y.) ended a 16-minute scoring drought for Johns Hopkins, the Tigers answered with a four-goal run, upping their advantage to 12-4 with 21:44 remaining. Junior attacker Jacie Kendall (Souderton Area H.S./Harleysville, Pa.) scored two goals during the run, extending her point-scoring streak to 12 straight games.

The teams traded goals three times before Woodfield gave Towson a 16-7 advantage with 51 seconds remaining, converting a Marcinik feed for her 22nd goal of the season.

Marcinik led the Tigers with a career-high six-point effort while senior attacker Meggie McNamara (Fayetteville-Manlius H.S./Fayetteville, N.Y.) added three goals with two assists.

Woodfield and Kendall each added a “hat trick” in the victory as the Tigers outshot Johns Hopkins by a 31-26 margin. Freshman goalkeeper Mary Teeters (Centennial H.S./Ellicott City, Md.) made 12 saves, including nine in the second half, to lead the Tiger defense.

Rossi led the Blue Jays in a losing effort by scoring two goals with an assist. Sophomore goalkeeper Julianne Wisner (Notre Dame Prep/Parkton, Md.) made seven saves in 46 minutes before being replaced by junior Lizzie O'Ferrall (Mount De Sales Academy/Baltimore, Md.) with 13:47 left.

The Tigers, who were playing their fourth straight home game, will continue their six-game homestand on Friday evening when they open their Colonial Athletic Association schedule against William & Mary at Unitas Stadium. Opening draw is set for 7:00 p.m.

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TOWSON, MD - Towson used runs of 4-0 and 7-0 early in the game to put take control early as the Tigers defeated visiting Johns Hopkins 16-7 on Sunday afternoon. Hopkins drops its second straight and slips to 4-6 on the season while the Tigers improve to 6-3. The loss snaps the Blue Jays eight-game win streak of the Tigers.

With the game tied at 1-1, Hopkins got back-to-back goals from sophomore Brianna Cronin (Arlington, MA/Arlington) and freshman Candace Rossi (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) to give Hopkins a 3-1 lead with 12:37 to play in the first half. Towson responded with a 5-0 run to end the half to take a 7-3 lead into the lockerroom.

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2009-03-29