Towson Women’s Soccer Defeats Hampton 3-1 to Complete Virginia Road Sweep
By Brian Hradsky
The Towson Tigers women’s soccer team completed a successful Virginia road swing Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 victory over the Hampton Pirates at Powhatan Field in Norfolk, Virginia. After playing to a scoreless first half, Towson exploded for three second-half goals to secure its second consecutive Coastal Athletic Association victory. The Tigers improved to 5-4-2 overall and 2-1 in CAA play, while Hampton fell to 1-8-1 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
Towson entered the match coming off an impressive 2-0 road victory over William & Mary on Thursday. That result helped the Tigers rebound from a 2-1 loss to Hofstra in their CAA opener. Towson then took care of Hampton to finish its two-game Virginia portion of the road swing with six valuable conference points.
Tigers struggle to generate offense in first half
Towson did not have its best offensive performance during the opening 45 minutes. The Tigers generated just three first-half shots, while Hampton created several opportunities to challenge Towson goalkeeper Teagan Gardner. Caitlyn Peace forced Gardner into a save in the 18th minute, and Gardner made two saves before halftime to keep the match scoreless.
Towson head coach Katherine Vettori acknowledged after the match that she was unhappy with the Tigers’ first-half performance. Towson regrouped during halftime, however, and the difference became apparent almost immediately after play resumed. The Tigers produced 12 shots during the second half after managing only three in the first.
That second-half response completely changed the match.
Meron Koro breaks the scoreless tie
Towson finally broke through in the 56th minute with an excellent combination between Sophie Thibeault, Zuri Johnson and Meron Koro.
Thibeault controlled the ball just outside the 18-yard box and found Johnson. Instead of immediately attempting to create her own shot, Johnson made the extra pass to Koro, who finished past Hampton goalkeeper Arianna Myers to put Towson ahead 1-0 at the 55:31 mark.
It was Koro’s third goal of the season, while Johnson and Thibeault were credited with assists. The goal began a decisive stretch for the Tigers, who quickly turned a close road match into a two-goal advantage.
Emma Levin doubles Towson’s advantage
Only 2:09 after Koro’s goal, Towson struck again.
The Tigers earned a corner kick, and Kale’a Perry delivered an inswinging ball toward the top of the six-yard box. Emma Levin timed her run and headed Perry’s service on goal to give Towson a 2-0 advantage in the 58th minute.
It was Levin’s first goal of the season and demonstrated how dangerous Towson could be on set pieces. Perry picked up the assist after entering the match with three goals on the season.
Suddenly, a game that had remained scoreless for more than 55 minutes had completely shifted toward Towson.
Hampton cuts into the lead
Hampton did not go away quietly.
The Pirates pulled within one in the 72nd minute when Anneli Donath scored her first goal of the season. Caitlyn Peace recorded the assist as Hampton reduced Towson’s advantage to 2-1.
The goal was also historically notable for Hampton. According to Towson Athletics, it was the Pirates’ first goal against the Tigers in the history of the series.
With nearly 19 minutes remaining, Towson suddenly had to protect a one-goal advantage on the road. Rather than allowing Hampton to build momentum, the Tigers answered with another set-piece goal.
Thibeault puts the game away
Towson restored its two-goal advantage in the 80th minute.
Emely Rubio sent a corner kick into the penalty area, where the ball bounced through traffic. Angel Reid and Jayla Caldwell helped keep the play alive before the ball eventually reached Thibeault. She drove her shot past the Hampton goalkeeper to make it 3-1 at the 79:08 mark.
The goal was Thibeault’s third of the season and completed another productive afternoon for one of Towson’s most important offensive players. She finished the game with a goal, an assist and four shots on goal.
Thibeault’s performance against Hampton also completed an outstanding week. She scored the opening goal and eventual game-winner in Towson’s 2-0 victory over William & Mary before adding a goal and assist against Hampton. She totaled two goals, one assist, five points and 10 shots across the two victories.
The CAA subsequently named Thibeault its Offensive Player of the Week.
Gardner helps anchor another victory
Gardner also played an important role in Towson’s successful week.
The Tigers’ goalkeeper made three saves against Hampton after recording a shutout in the 2-0 victory over William & Mary. Her performances earned her CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors, her second such award of the season.
Gardner had already earned the conference’s defensive honor on Aug. 31 following a clean sheet against Delaware. Her ability to keep Hampton off the scoreboard during Towson’s difficult opening half Sunday allowed the Tigers time to regroup and take control after halftime.
Towson controls the final numbers
Towson finished with a 15-7 advantage in total shots and put nine attempts on goal compared with four for Hampton. The Tigers also generated three corner kicks compared with two for the Pirates.
Thibeault led Towson with four shots on goal. The Tigers also spread the offensive production throughout their lineup, with five different players recording assists: Caldwell, Perry, Thibeault, Johnson and Reid.
The five assists and 11 total points were both season highs for Towson. The Tigers converted three of their 15 shots, giving them their highest-scoring CAA performance through the opening three conference matches.
The offensive improvement after halftime was especially encouraging. Towson went from three shots without a goal in the opening 45 minutes to 12 shots and three goals over the final 45.
Lindeman reaches program milestone
The victory also produced a significant individual milestone for Sydney Lindeman.
With Towson’s win over Hampton, Lindeman became the player who has been on the Tigers’ roster for the most victories in program history, according to Towson Athletics. Lindeman and Thibeault each played the entire 90 minutes Sunday.
Lindeman had already contributed to the Tigers’ successful Virginia trip by assisting Thibeault’s opening goal in the 2-0 victory over William & Mary.
Tigers return home with momentum
Towson now returns to Tiger Field after opening CAA competition with three consecutive road games. The Tigers went 2-1 during that stretch, losing at Hofstra before defeating William & Mary and Hampton.
The schedule becomes considerably more home-friendly from here. Towson was scheduled to play five of its final six CAA regular-season matches at Tiger Field after completing the three-game conference-opening road stretch.
The Tigers will host Stony Brook on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. in their CAA home opener.
MSB Take
Towson did exactly what a strong team needs to do when it does not play its best soccer for an entire 90 minutes. The Tigers struggled offensively during the first half, made adjustments at halftime and then overwhelmed Hampton with three goals over the final 35 minutes.
The most encouraging part of the victory was how many different players contributed. Koro scored, Levin scored her first goal of the season and Thibeault continued her strong run with a goal and an assist. Towson also received assists from five players, while Gardner provided stability in goal when Hampton created opportunities early.
Set pieces could become an especially important weapon for the Tigers as CAA play continues. Two of Towson’s three goals came following corner kicks, including Levin’s header and Thibeault’s late insurance goal. In conference games where open-play chances become more difficult to generate, that ability to score from corners can decide close matches.
Most importantly, Towson returns home at 2-1 in conference play after beginning its CAA schedule with three straight road games. Consecutive victories over William & Mary and Hampton give the Tigers momentum entering a home-heavy portion of the schedule, and Towson now has an opportunity to build on that momentum at Tiger Field.
