Towson Tigers Women’s Lacrosse Season Recap: Tigers Build Momentum Through Adversity In 2026

The 2026 season challenged the Towson Tigers women’s lacrosse team from the opening whistle, but the year also revealed a roster loaded with toughness, offensive firepower and long-term promise. Head coach Kristin Carr guided the Tigers through one of the toughest schedules in the region, and Towson responded by battling through a difficult nonconference slate before turning into one of the strongest teams in Coastal Athletic Association play.

Towson finished the season 8-10 overall and 5-2 in CAA competition while earning a berth in the CAA Tournament. The final record did not fully capture how much the Tigers improved during the second half of the season. Several young players developed into major contributors, veterans delivered consistent production and the offense flashed explosive scoring ability throughout conference play. (towsontigers.com)

The Tigers scored 197 goals during the season while averaging more than 10 goals per game. Towson also produced 94 assists and converted 23 woman-up opportunities. The offensive growth became obvious late in the year as the Tigers attacked defenses with pace, movement and confidence. (towsontigers.com)

Towson’s defense struggled at times against nationally ranked opponents and high-powered offenses, but the Tigers still found ways to compete inside the CAA. A 5-2 conference mark showed the roster’s resilience and growth after a rocky opening month.

A Brutal Schedule Tested Towson Early

Towson opened the year on the road against Mount St. Mary’s and immediately showed offensive potential during a 14-11 victory. The Tigers pushed the pace, attacked in transition and finished efficiently around the crease. The season opener also gave the roster early confidence heading into a brutal February schedule. (towsontigers.com)

The next several games exposed some of the issues that followed the Tigers throughout the season. Villanova defeated Towson 15-6 before Georgetown handed the Tigers a 17-9 loss at Tiger Field. Denver added another tough defeat during a difficult western road trip.

Those opponents brought elite athleticism, physical defense and experienced attacking units. Towson struggled defensively during those matchups, especially when opponents controlled the draw circle and generated transition opportunities.

Despite the losses, the Tigers continued to compete offensively.

Katie Roszko emerged as one of the team’s most reliable scoring threats early in the season. Luca DeMaio created matchup problems with aggressive downhill attacking. Hannah Lewis flashed star potential around the crease and in free-position opportunities.

The Georgetown game highlighted both Towson’s weaknesses and potential. Georgetown built an early lead, but the Tigers continued to attack and found offensive rhythm in stretches. Valerie Thompson, Ocea Leavy, Elise Smigiel and Luca DeMaio all produced scoring moments that kept Towson competitive against one of the better teams on the schedule. (guhoyas.com)

Towson also scheduled games against Jacksonville, Temple, Princeton, Penn and Loyola Maryland. The Tigers rarely received a break on the schedule. That difficult path ultimately helped prepare the roster for CAA play.

Jacksonville Victory Changed The Season

Every successful season usually includes one defining moment, and Towson found that moment against Jacksonville.

The Dolphins entered Tiger Field undefeated and carried momentum from a strong start to the year. Towson entered the game frustrated after several difficult losses, but the Tigers responded with one of their best performances of the season.

Towson defeated Jacksonville 14-13 in a game that completely changed the energy surrounding the program. (towsontigers.com)

Luca DeMaio delivered the best performance of her season during the victory. DeMaio scored six goals and constantly attacked Jacksonville defenders with confidence. Every time the Dolphins attempted to regain control, Towson answered.

Hannah Lewis and Elise Smigiel each added two goals while Savannah Safchuck, Valerie Thompson, Hailey Waldron and Tabi Reardon contributed key scores. The balanced attack showed what Towson could become when the offense played aggressively and confidently.

The victory also ended Towson’s losing streak and gave the Tigers a massive confidence boost heading into conference play.

More importantly, the game revealed the team’s identity.

Towson played its best lacrosse when the offense attacked downhill, moved quickly in transition and pressured defenses with multiple scoring threats. The Tigers stopped playing cautiously after the Jacksonville win.

That aggressive approach fueled the remainder of the season.

CAA Play Revealed Towson’s Growth

Conference play transformed the Tigers.

Towson finished 5-2 in CAA competition and looked far more confident during league games than during the difficult nonconference portion of the schedule. The Tigers moved the ball more effectively, controlled tempo better and generated cleaner scoring opportunities.

Towson earned conference victories against Campbell, William & Mary, Drexel, Elon and Monmouth. Several of those wins came in tight games that required composure late in regulation.

The Tigers opened league play with a 12-11 victory against Campbell in a game that immediately showed the team’s improved confidence. Towson responded well in late-game situations and generated enough offense to survive a close finish. (caasports.com)

Towson followed with a strong 10-6 road victory over William & Mary. The defensive effort during that game ranked among the best performances of the season. The Tigers forced turnovers, controlled possessions and limited quality scoring chances.

The season’s biggest conference statement came during a 16-7 victory over Elon.

Towson dominated the game from the opening draw and overwhelmed Elon with offensive pressure. The Tigers controlled possession, finished efficiently and never allowed Elon to establish momentum.

The victory clinched Towson’s spot in the CAA Tournament and highlighted how much the program improved during the second half of the season. (towsontigers.com)

Towson also delivered one of the season’s most dramatic finishes during a 12-11 overtime victory against Monmouth.

That game showcased the Tigers’ resilience.

Earlier in the year, Towson struggled to close out tight contests. By late April, the Tigers handled pressure far more effectively.

The regular season ended with a 14-11 victory over Hofstra before Towson fell to Stony Brook in the conference tournament.

Although the season ended short of an NCAA Tournament appearance, the Tigers proved they belonged among the better teams in the CAA.

Hannah Lewis Emerged As A Star

No player elevated her profile more during the 2026 season than Hannah Lewis.

Lewis developed into one of Towson’s most dangerous offensive weapons and consistently produced in big games.

The sophomore attacker combined speed, finishing ability and physical toughness throughout the season. Defenses struggled to contain Lewis around the crease, especially during transition opportunities and free-position situations.

One of her best performances came against Temple.

Lewis scored five goals during Towson’s heartbreaking 13-12 overtime loss to the Owls. Temple entered the game undefeated, but Lewis repeatedly attacked the defense and kept the Tigers within striking distance throughout the afternoon. (towsontigers.com)

Lewis also contributed two goals during the win over Jacksonville and delivered several important performances during conference play.

Towson relied heavily on her ability to create offense during difficult stretches.

Lewis attacked defenders aggressively, finished through contact and constantly pressured opposing goalies.

Her development gives Towson one of the conference’s top returning offensive players entering next season.

Katie Roszko Anchored The Offense

Katie Roszko brought leadership, consistency and production to the Tigers lineup.

The veteran attacker reached 100 career points during the Temple game and continued to establish herself as one of Towson’s most dependable offensive players. (towsontigers.com)

Roszko’s ability to create offense in multiple ways made her especially valuable.

Some attackers rely entirely on assisted goals or free-position opportunities. Roszko generated offense independently by attacking defenders one-on-one, creating space and finishing difficult shots.

Towson leaned heavily on her experience during conference play.

Roszko also played an important leadership role for a roster filled with younger contributors.

The Tigers often struggled against elite nonconference opponents early in the season, but Roszko continued producing despite difficult defensive matchups.

Several younger players credited the veteran attacker for helping maintain confidence during the roughest stretches of the schedule.

Towson’s offense became far more dangerous when Roszko attacked downhill aggressively and forced defenders to collapse.

That pressure created opportunities for Lewis, Smigiel and DeMaio.

Luca DeMaio Delivered Explosive Scoring

Luca DeMaio became one of Towson’s breakout offensive stars.

The attacker consistently generated momentum-changing goals and delivered the season’s best individual offensive performance during the victory over Jacksonville.

DeMaio’s six-goal explosion against the Dolphins transformed the game and helped Towson secure its biggest nonconference victory of the year. (towsontigers.com)

Her offensive style perfectly fit Towson’s aggressive system.

DeMaio attacked defenders with speed and confidence while also creating scoring opportunities for teammates.

Several key assists during the Georgetown game highlighted her playmaking ability. (guhoyas.com)

Towson’s offense became significantly more difficult to defend once DeMaio established herself as a consistent scoring threat.

Defenses could no longer focus entirely on Roszko or Lewis.

DeMaio’s growth also revealed the upside of Towson’s younger core.

The Tigers lacked national recognition entering the season, but several younger attackers developed into high-level CAA players by April.

Elise Smigiel Supplied Consistency

Elise Smigiel quietly delivered one of the most consistent seasons on the roster.

Towson needed reliable secondary scoring throughout the year, and Smigiel repeatedly answered.

The attacker produced important goals during several of the season’s biggest games, including the Jacksonville victory and the Temple overtime battle. (towsontigers.com)

Smigiel excelled without the ball.

Her movement around the crease and ability to find open space constantly pressured defenses.

Towson’s offense flowed more effectively whenever Smigiel established position near the goal.

She also contributed during woman-up opportunities and transition situations.

Several conference opponents struggled to match up with Towson’s depth because Smigiel punished defensive breakdowns consistently.

Every successful offense needs dependable complementary scorers, and Smigiel filled that role perfectly.

Ocea Leavy Controlled The Midfield

Ocea Leavy impacted games in several different ways throughout the season.

The midfielder provided toughness between the restraining lines while also helping Towson in draw-control situations.

Leavy contributed offensively during the Georgetown game and repeatedly created transition opportunities with aggressive play in the midfield. (towsontigers.com)

Towson’s midfield improved dramatically during conference play, and Leavy played a major role in that development.

The Tigers became far more effective when they controlled tempo and limited transition chances for opponents.

Leavy’s hustle, defensive pressure and ability to win loose balls helped Towson stabilize several games.

Her versatility also gave the Tigers lineup flexibility.

Towson frequently used Leavy in multiple situations because of her athleticism and field awareness.

Savannah Safchuck Became A Key Playmaker

Savannah Safchuck emerged as one of Towson’s most important facilitators.

The midfielder consistently created scoring opportunities and supplied important assists during several major wins.

Safchuck assisted on goals during the Georgetown and Jacksonville games while also helping the Tigers maintain offensive pace. (towsontigers.com)

Towson’s offense improved significantly once ball movement became sharper during conference play.

Safchuck played a major role in that improvement.

She excelled at initiating offense, attacking open lanes and finding teammates in scoring position.

Towson also benefited from her transition ability.

The Tigers generated several important fast-break opportunities because Safchuck pushed tempo aggressively after turnovers and draw controls.

Defensive Issues Hurt Towson At Times

The Tigers possessed enough offensive talent to compete with most opponents, but defensive inconsistency remained the team’s biggest issue throughout the season.

Towson allowed 264 goals and surrendered nearly 14 goals per game. Elite opponents frequently created transition opportunities and controlled possessions through draw dominance. (towsontigers.com)

Games against Georgetown, Princeton, Penn and Stony Brook especially exposed those problems.

Towson struggled to slow high-powered offenses once opponents established rhythm.

The Tigers also allowed too many free-position opportunities during critical stretches.

Still, the defense improved noticeably during conference play.

Towson held William & Mary to six goals and limited Elon to only seven during one of the season’s best performances.

The Tigers forced more turnovers late in the season and looked far more organized in settled defensive situations.

Towson’s coaching staff clearly adjusted effectively after the difficult opening month.

The improvement provided optimism entering the offseason.

Draw Controls And Transition Became Critical

Towson’s success often depended on draw controls and transition offense.

When the Tigers controlled possession, the offense became dangerous.

Towson generated more than 25 shots per game during the season and frequently overwhelmed opponents with pace during conference play. (towsontigers.com)

Emma Baker delivered several important draw-control performances during the season and surpassed 100 career draw controls during the Elon victory. (towsontigers.com)

Leavy, Thompson and Lewis also contributed heavily in possession battles.

The Tigers played their best lacrosse when transition opportunities appeared consistently.

Towson’s athletic midfielders excelled in open space.

That aggressive style also matched the strengths of DeMaio and Lewis around the crease.

Kristin Carr Guided A Resilient Team

Head coach Kristin Carr deserves significant credit for Towson’s growth during the 2026 season.

Several teams might have collapsed after the difficult nonconference schedule, but Towson continued improving.

Carr kept the roster focused and eventually turned the Tigers into one of the better teams in conference play.

Towson’s offensive improvement especially reflected strong coaching adjustments.

The Tigers moved the ball faster, attacked more confidently and created better spacing during the second half of the season.

Conference opponents struggled to contain Towson once the offense established rhythm.

Carr also trusted younger players during critical moments.

That confidence accelerated the development of several important contributors.

Towson now enters the offseason with far more momentum than the overall record might suggest.

Best Games Of The Season

Towson 14, Jacksonville 13

The defining victory of the season.

Towson snapped Jacksonville’s undefeated record behind six goals from Luca DeMaio and a relentless offensive performance. The Tigers attacked aggressively from the opening draw and finally delivered a complete effort against a quality opponent. (towsontigers.com)

Towson 16, Elon 7

Towson completely dominated Elon during one of the season’s strongest performances.

The Tigers controlled possession, generated transition chances and clinched a CAA Tournament berth with the victory. (towsontigers.com)

Towson 12, Monmouth 11 (OT)

The Tigers showed major growth during the overtime road victory.

Towson handled pressure effectively late in regulation and executed in critical moments during overtime.

Towson 10, William & Mary 6

One of Towson’s best defensive performances.

The Tigers slowed William & Mary’s offense and controlled the pace throughout the game.

Most Difficult Losses

Temple 13, Towson 12 (OT)

Towson played one of its strongest offensive games of the season but could not close out the upset.

Hannah Lewis scored five goals and Roszko reached 100 career points during the heartbreaking overtime defeat. (towsontigers.com)

Stony Brook 19, Towson 7

The conference loss exposed Towson’s defensive weaknesses against elite competition.

Stony Brook controlled possession and dominated transition play.

Penn 20, Towson 8

Penn overwhelmed the Tigers with pace and offensive depth.

The game demonstrated how much Towson still needed to improve defensively to compete nationally.

Statistical Leaders

Towson’s offense ranked among the more aggressive attacks in the conference.

The Tigers attempted 481 shots and finished with a .410 shooting percentage. Towson also collected 356 ground balls and won numerous transition battles during conference play. (towsontigers.com)

The team converted 34 free-position goals and added 23 woman-up scores. Offensive efficiency improved steadily throughout the season.

Towson also finished with several players emerging as major contributors entering next season.

Lewis, DeMaio, Roszko and Smigiel formed one of the better young offensive groups in the conference by April.

What The Tigers Must Improve

Towson’s path back to NCAA Tournament contention starts defensively.

The Tigers need to reduce transition breakdowns, improve draw-control consistency against elite opponents and limit free-position opportunities.

Towson also needs stronger goalie play against nationally ranked offenses.

The offense already possesses enough firepower to compete in the CAA.

If the defense improves even modestly, the Tigers could become a legitimate conference championship contender next season.

The Tigers also need to continue developing depth.

Several younger contributors flashed potential throughout the year, but consistency remains critical.

Towson’s demanding schedule should help accelerate that development moving forward.

Looking Ahead To 2027

The 2026 season may not have produced championships or national rankings, but Towson built a strong foundation.

The Tigers finished conference play as one of the league’s hottest teams and established an offensive identity built on pace, aggression and transition pressure.

Lewis developed into a star.

Roszko delivered veteran leadership.

DeMaio emerged as a dynamic scorer.

Smigiel supplied consistency.

Leavy stabilized the midfield.

Safchuck became an important playmaker.

That core gives Towson legitimate optimism entering next season.

The Tigers learned valuable lessons against one of the nation’s toughest schedules. Those experiences should benefit the roster moving forward.

Towson no longer looks like a rebuilding program.

The Tigers look like a team preparing to make a serious jump inside the CAA.

Another offseason of development, stronger defensive execution and continued offensive growth could push Towson back into conference title contention in 2027.

The final record only told part of the story.

Towson’s season really became about resilience, growth and momentum.

The Tigers took punches early, responded during conference play and built a foundation that could produce far bigger results in the near future. (towsontigers.com)