TOWSON, Md. – Junior midfielder Nikki Marcinik (Southern H.S./Deale, Md.) scored a career-high seven goals and also added an assist as Towson University (8-5, 2-2) celebrated Senior Day with its second straight win, a 17-12 Colonial Athletic Association victory over Drexel (7-6, 0-4) at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Marcinik, who also became the 20th player in school history to reach 100 career points, recorded the first seven-goal game by a Tiger player since Shannon Witzel, '07 had seven goals against Delaware on March 24, 2006.

"We worked really hard on shooting during practice this week," Marcinik said. "It was great for us to rebound after losing our first two CAA games to win both of the games this weekend. The senior class has really set a tradition of winning in this program and we wanted to send them out with a victory."

The Dragons jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the first half when junior attacker Becca Drylie-Perkins (Shawnee H.S./Medford, N.J.) and junior midfielder Katie Lawson (Washington Township H.S./Sewell, N.J.) scored back-to-back goals in a 24-second span.

However, the Tigers responded by scoring seven straight goals to take a commanding 7-2 lead with 16:46 remaining in the half. One of five players who were honored on Senior Day, senior midfielder Britt Woodfield (South Carroll H.S./New Windsor, Md.) scored two goals during the run. But the Dragons scored the final four goals of the first half, including a pair by Lawson, to narrow the margin 7-6 at the intermission.

Led by Marcinik, the Tigers started the second half by scoring six unanswered goals, extending their advantage to 13-6 with 20:36 remaining. Marcinik had three goals and an assist during the run while senior attacker Meggie McNamara (Fayetteville-Manlius H.S./Fayetteville, N.Y.) added a goal with an assist.

After Drexel scored three goals in a row to move within 13-9 with 13:42 left, Marcinik tallied back-to-back markers, upping the Towson cushion to 15-9. Drylie-Perkins scored on a free-position shot with 7:44 remaining in the second half before Marcinik and sophomore midfielder Ali Lathroum (Stephen Decatur H.S./Bishopville, Md.) scored consecutive goals for a 17-10 lead. The Dragons added two goals in the final 25 seconds, but Drexel was unable to get any closer.

While Marcinik led the Tigers with a career-high eight points, Woodfield scored three goals with one assist. McNamara, who leads the CAA with 28 assists in 13 games, had three assists in addition to scoring a goal.

Lawson led the Dragons with four goals in a losing effort while Drylie-Perkins scored twice and contributed an assist.

The Tigers outshot Drexel by a 32-24 margin and converted a season-high six of nine free-position opportunities.

Prior to the game, the Tigers honored their senior class on the occasion of their final home game at Unitas Stadium. In addition to Woodfield and McNamara, midfielder Cassie Krause (Mount Hebron H.S./Ellicott City, Md.) tied a career high with two goals while defender Julie Ondrako (Fayetteville-Manlius H.S./Manlius, N.Y.) had four ground balls and four caused turnovers.

Making the first start of her college career, redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Lean (Annapolis H.S./Annapolis, Md.) made two saves in 23 minutes. Freshman goalkeeper Mary Teeters (Centennial H.S./Ellicott City, Md.) played the final 37 minutes and had five saves.

The Tigers, who played their ninth and final home game of the season, will end the regular season with a three-game road trip, which starts on Friday night against George Mason at 7:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, Drexel will continue its three-game road trip on Friday night at William & Mary at 7:00 p.m.

2009-04-12