TOWSON, Md. – Sophomore attacker Meggie McNamara (Fayetteville-Manlius H.S./Fayetteville, N.Y.) scored a game-high five goals and added two assists to lead Towson University (1-0) to a 17-7 non-conference victory over American University (1-1) in the Tigers' season opener at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Monday afternoon. With the win, the Tigers open the season with a victory for the fifth straight year while earning their eighth victory in nine all-time meetings against the Eagles.

Led by two goals from sophomore midfielder Hillary Fratzke (Queen Anne's County H.S./Centerville, Md.), the Tigers jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game. After a goal by freshman Amanda Makoid (Archbishop Wood H.S./Doylestown, Pa.) cut the margin to 4-1, Fratzke scored with 18:30 remaining in the half before McNamara tallied three straight goals in a span of nine minutes, upping the Tiger advantage to 8-1. The Tigers led by 9-2 at half-time.

After Fratzke and senior Shannon Witzel (Pottstown H.S./Pottstown, Pa.) scored in the opening four minutes of the second half, the Eagles scored four straight goals to narrow their deficit to 11-6. Junior Brittany Finnegan (West Islip H.S./West Islip, N.Y.) scored off an assist from junior Jackie Lane (Plainedge H.S./North Massapequa, N.Y.) before junior Lauren Lane (Plainedge H.S./North Massapequa, N.Y.) recorded back-to-back goals for an 11-5 margin. Jackie Lane scored with 17:49 left in the period to end the run.

The Tigers responded by scoring six of the last seven goals in the game, including a goal by Witzel with 6:39 left, which moved her into second place on the Tigers' career scoring list. She passed Becky Trumbo, '06 and now has 179 goals in her four-year career.

McNamara set a career high with her seven points while Fratzke scored a career-high five goals with one assist. Junior goalkeeper Mandy Corry (West Essex H.S./North Caldwell, N.J.) made seven saves in goal for Towson. Lauren Lane led the Eagles in the loss with two goals while Jackie Lane added one goal and two assists. Junior Kristine Vida (Syosset H.S./Syosset, N.Y.) made eight saves in the loss for American.

Score by Period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
American University.  2  5 -  7
Towson University...  9  8 - 17
 
American University SCORING:
GOALS: Lane, Lauren 2; Lane, Jackie 1; Finnegan, Brittany 1;
       Rhinehart, Danielle 1; Makoid, Amanda 1; Ibello, Gina 1.
ASSISTS: Lane, Jackie 2; Finnegan, Brittany 1.
 
Towson University SCORING:
GOALS: McNamara, Meggie 5; Fratzke, Hillary 5; Witzel, Shannon 3;
       Krause, Cassie 2; Woodfield, Britt 1; McAfee, Lauren 1.
ASSISTS: Witzel, Shannon 2; McNamara, Meggie 1; Woodfield, Britt 1.
 
SHOTS BY PERIOD       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
American University. 11 10 - 21
Towson University... 20 15 - 35
 
GROUND BALLS BY PRD   1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
American University. 13 14 - 27
Towson University... 15  7 - 22
 
DRAW CONTROLS BY PRD  1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
American University.  7  4 - 11
Towson University...  4  9 - 13
 
CLEARS BY PERIOD       1     2     Total
-------------------------------------
American University.  6-11  4-9  - 10-20
Towson University...  6-14  2-3  -  8-17
 
FREE-POSITION SHOTS    1     2     Total
----------------------------------------
American University.  0-1   1-2  -  1-3
Towson University...  1-2   2-3  -  3-5
 
SAVES BY PERIOD       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
American University.  7  1 -  8
Towson University...  5  2 -  7
 
FOULS BY PERIOD       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
American University.  7 14 - 21
Towson University... 10 10 - 20
 
TURNOVERS BY PRD      1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
American University. 19 10 - 29
Towson University... 13 13 - 26

2007-02-26