Towson Field Hockey Falls to Appalachian State in Overtime

The Towson University field hockey team opened its 2026 season with a 1-0 overtime loss to Appalachian State University on Friday night in Boone, North Carolina.

Towson controlled much of regulation and entered overtime with advantages in shots and penalty corners. Appalachian State reversed the momentum during the extra period, however, before Sarah Callery scored the game-winning goal five minutes into overtime.

The loss dropped Towson to 0-1, while Appalachian State began the season at 1-0.

Tigers Control the Opening Quarter

Both teams opened the game cautiously, combining for only one shot during the first 15 minutes.

Towson produced that opportunity in the closing seconds of the first quarter. Gianna Tripodi moved the ball in from the right side and helped create a chance for Bailey Masten, whose shot forced Appalachian State goalkeeper Dakota Anderson to make her first save.

The Mountaineers increased their offensive pressure during the second quarter, but Towson continued to prevent any clear scoring opportunities. Each team earned its first penalty corner of the game during the period.

Anouk Westerink sent a shot just over the goal following Towson’s corner opportunity. Tripodi later placed an attempt on goal, but Anderson made the save to preserve the scoreless tie.

Only five total shots were attempted during the first half as the teams entered halftime tied at zero.

Towson Continues to Apply Pressure

Towson maintained its advantage during the third quarter.

Freshman Else Wismans sent an attempt wide early in the period. Ella Jefferson then forced Anderson to make another save with approximately five minutes remaining.

The Tigers held a 5-2 advantage in shots through three quarters. Towson’s defense did not allow Appalachian State to record a shot during the third period.

Towson created its strongest sustained pressure during the fourth quarter. The Tigers earned four penalty corners and held Appalachian State to one shot over the final 15 minutes of regulation.

Wismans had an attempt blocked following an early fourth-quarter corner. Towson then earned consecutive penalty corners with just over six minutes remaining but could not convert either opportunity.

The Tigers received one final chance in the closing seconds. Olivia Miller helped earn Towson’s sixth penalty corner before Westerink placed a shot toward the cage. Anderson kept the attempt out, sending the game into overtime.

Appalachian State Takes Over in Overtime

Towson entered overtime with a 7-3 advantage in total shots and a 6-2 edge in penalty corners. The Tigers had also placed four shots on goal while preventing the Mountaineers from recording one.

The game changed immediately during the extra period.

Appalachian State attempted eight shots and earned two penalty corners during overtime. Towson did not record a shot or corner after the end of regulation.

Riley Redding kept the Tigers alive by making three saves during the five-minute overtime period. Redding stopped two attempts from Brynn Shaffer and another from Kassie Paul as the Mountaineers continued applying pressure around the Towson cage.

Callery finally broke through at the 65-minute mark. Paul moved the ball inside the shooting circle, and Callery redirected it past Redding for the sudden-victory goal.

The goal was Callery’s first of the season. Paul received the assist.

Appalachian State’s overtime push gave the Mountaineers an 11-7 advantage in total shots for the game. Both teams finished with four shots on goal, while Towson retained a 6-4 advantage in penalty corners, according to the official CAA box score.

Redding Strong in First Career Start

Redding made three saves and allowed one goal during her first collegiate start in the cage for Towson. All three saves came during Appalachian State’s overtime attack.

Anderson also made her first career start for the Mountaineers. She stopped all four Towson shots on goal to earn the shutout.

Westerink and Wismans led Towson with two shots apiece. Westerink, Masten, Jefferson and Tripodi each recorded one shot on goal.

The performance against Appalachian State provided Towson with an early test against a program that won a school-record 14 games in 2025. The Mountaineers finished last season 14-6 and returned 11 players from that roster.

Appalachian State has now won five consecutive season openers, with all five victories coming against Towson. Mountaineers head coach Emily Dinsmore improved to 4-0 against the Tigers and remained undefeated in season-opening games.

A New-Look Towson Roster

Towson entered the season with 14 newcomers and 11 returning players under fourth-year head coach Katie Gerzabek Salem.

The returning group is led by Westerink, a two-time All-CAA First Team selection and a member of the 2026 Preseason All-CAA Team. The junior entered the season with 10 career goals and 22 points in 36 starts.

Miller and Masten also returned after previously earning CAA All-Rookie recognition. Lydia Bennett, Miller, Westerink and freshman Ann Njoroge were subsequently named to the NFHCA Division I Watchlist.

The Tigers added five transfers and nine freshmen during the offseason. Wismans, Njoroge, Jefferson, Delfina Larripa and Skylar Santucci were among the newcomers who appeared in the opener.

Towson finished the 2025 season with a 6-12 overall record and a 2-3 mark in the CAA. The Tigers placed fifth in the conference standings.

MSB Take

The final result was disappointing, but Towson’s regulation performance offered several encouraging signs. The Tigers controlled possession for significant stretches, earned six penalty corners and did not allow Appalachian State to place a shot on goal during the first 60 minutes.

That is a solid defensive foundation for a team incorporating 14 newcomers. Redding also responded well when tested in overtime, making three saves before Appalachian State finally produced the winning goal.

The clear area for improvement is finishing offensive opportunities. Towson generated four fourth-quarter penalty corners and another chance in the final seconds but could not turn that pressure into a goal. The Tigers must become more dangerous on set pieces and create better second-chance opportunities around the cage.

Towson also needs to manage the transition into overtime more effectively. Appalachian State went from three shots in regulation to eight attempts in five overtime minutes. The Mountaineers dictated the extra period from the opening whistle and never allowed Towson to establish possession.

The Tigers proved they could compete with a program coming off a 14-win season. Turning that competitiveness into victories will depend on converting corners, finishing around the cage and maintaining the same defensive structure late in games.

Towson Returns Home

Towson completed its opening weekend with a 4-0 loss to Davidson on Sunday, moving the Tigers to 0-2.

The Tigers will play their home opener against Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 4, at the TU Field Hockey Complex. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., and admission to Towson field hockey home games is free.