Towson Women’s Soccer Crushes Stony Brook 4-0, Takes First Place in CAA North Division
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog | October 8, 2026
TOWSON, Md. — The Towson University women’s soccer team delivered one of its most impressive performances of the 2026 season Sunday afternoon, defeating Stony Brook University 4-0 at Tiger Field to move into first place in the Coastal Athletic Association North Division. The Tigers scored three goals in the opening 32 minutes before adding another early in the second half to complete a dominant conference victory. Emma Levin, Sophie Thibeault, Zuri Johnson and Emely Rubio each found the back of the net, while goalkeeper Teagan Gardner recorded five saves to preserve the shutout. The victory improved Towson’s record to 6-4-2 overall and 3-1-0 in conference play, giving the Tigers nine points and sole possession of first place in the division following Sunday’s action.
Towson’s victory marked its third consecutive win, the program’s longest winning streak since capturing the 2023 CAA Championship. The Tigers had previously defeated William & Mary 2-0 and Hampton 3-1 before returning home to face Stony Brook. Sunday’s four-goal performance represented Towson’s second-largest margin of victory against a conference opponent during head coach Katherine Vettori’s tenure. Perhaps most importantly, the Tigers demonstrated an ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities while maintaining the defensive organization necessary to shut down a dangerous Stony Brook attack.
Emma Levin Opens the Scoring With Brilliant Long-Range Strike
Towson wasted little time establishing its offensive presence, taking control of the match midway through the opening half. In the 15th minute, Levin collected a ball that had deflected off a Stony Brook defender following a cross into the attacking area. After taking several touches to create space, Levin unleashed a powerful shot from approximately 25 yards that found the lower corner of the net. The goal gave Towson a 1-0 advantage and immediately shifted momentum toward the home side.
Levin’s goal was her second of the season and showcased her ability to create scoring opportunities outside the penalty area. The midfielder demonstrated excellent composure after receiving the deflection, giving herself enough room to strike before Stony Brook could close down the opportunity. Her finish also placed additional pressure on the Seawolves, who entered the contest with only one loss through their first 10 matches. Towson’s early breakthrough proved to be the beginning of an outstanding afternoon for the Tigers’ offense.
Sophie Thibeault Doubles Towson’s Lead Two Minutes Later
The Tigers continued attacking immediately after Levin’s opening goal, earning a corner kick less than two minutes later. The ensuing delivery created confusion inside the Stony Brook penalty area before the ball eventually reached Levin, who fired a shot toward the goalkeeper. Stony Brook goalkeeper Jona Hennings managed to deflect the initial attempt, but the rebound fell directly to Thibeault. The Towson forward capitalized on the opportunity, sending the ball into the net at the 16:22 mark to extend the Tigers’ lead to 2-0.
Thibeault’s goal was her fourth of the season and continued an impressive stretch of offensive production. The junior had previously scored against William & Mary and Hampton, meaning Sunday’s finish extended her scoring streak to three consecutive matches. Towson improved to 4-0 in games when Thibeault scores, highlighting her importance to the team’s offensive success. Levin received the assist on the goal, giving her multiple scoring contributions in the same match for the first time in her collegiate career.
Zuri Johnson Scores First Collegiate Goal to Extend Lead
Towson continued applying pressure throughout the opening half, taking advantage of another set-piece opportunity in the 32nd minute. Kale’a Perry delivered a corner kick toward the far post, where Johnson positioned herself to receive the service. Johnson redirected the ball into the goal at the 31:22 mark, giving the Tigers a commanding 3-0 advantage. The finish marked the first collegiate goal of Johnson’s career and provided another example of Towson’s effectiveness on corner kicks.
Johnson’s goal was particularly significant because it demonstrated the Tigers’ ability to generate offense from multiple players. Rather than relying exclusively on their leading scorers, Towson received contributions from different positions throughout the lineup. Perry’s assist also continued her productive season, as she entered the match among the team’s leading offensive contributors. By halftime, Towson had established a three-goal cushion and placed Stony Brook in an extremely difficult position.
Emely Rubio Adds Fourth Goal as Tigers Dominate Set Pieces
Towson entered the second half determined to maintain its offensive intensity rather than simply protect its advantage. Less than seven minutes after the restart, the Tigers earned another corner kick and once again demonstrated their effectiveness in dead-ball situations. Perry delivered another accurate ball toward the far post, finding Rubio in position to attack the service. Rubio connected with a header at the 51:33 mark, sending the ball past Hennings for her first collegiate goal and extending Towson’s lead to 4-0.
The goal completed an exceptional afternoon for Towson’s set-piece attack, which produced three of the team’s four goals. Perry finished with two assists, establishing a season high while further demonstrating her value as both a scorer and playmaker. Her ability to deliver dangerous corner kicks created repeated problems for the Stony Brook defense. The Tigers’ execution was especially impressive because they converted their opportunities despite finishing with fewer total shots than their opponents.
Teagan Gardner Records Five Saves in Shutout Performance
Although Towson’s offensive performance received much of the attention, Gardner and the Tigers’ defensive unit played an equally important role in securing the victory. Stony Brook attempted 14 shots compared with Towson’s 10, but the Seawolves struggled to convert those opportunities into goals. Gardner stopped all five shots that reached the target, including three saves during the opening half. Her performance ensured that Towson maintained control even when Stony Brook attempted to respond to the early scoring barrage.
Gardner’s shutout continued an impressive stretch of performances from the redshirt junior goalkeeper. She had already received CAA Defensive Player of the Week recognition following Towson’s victories over William & Mary and Hampton. Her five-save performance against Stony Brook earned her the conference’s Defensive Player of the Week award again on October 5, marking her second consecutive weekly honor. Gardner’s consistency has become an important part of Towson’s success as the Tigers compete for positioning in the CAA standings.
The defensive effort also reflected the contributions of several players who remained on the field throughout the entire match. Sydney Lindeman, Perry, Thibeault and Brooke Birrell each played all 90 minutes, helping Towson maintain its organization and intensity. Stony Brook managed only two shots on goal after conceding the fourth goal, limiting its opportunities to reduce the deficit. The Tigers’ ability to combine offensive production with defensive discipline made Sunday’s victory one of their most complete performances of the season.
Towson’s Efficiency Overcomes Stony Brook’s Shot Advantage
Despite the lopsided final score, Stony Brook actually finished with more total shots than Towson. The Seawolves attempted 14 shots, while the Tigers recorded 10, but Towson placed six attempts on target compared with Stony Brook’s five. More importantly, Towson converted four of those six shots on goal, demonstrating remarkable finishing efficiency. The Tigers also held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks, an important statistic considering that three of their goals originated from those opportunities.
Match statistics — October 4, 2026
| Category | Towson | Stony Brook |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 0 |
| Shots | 10 | 14 |
| Shots on goal | 6 | 5 |
| Saves | 5 | 2 |
| Corner kicks | 6 | 3 |
| Fouls | 15 | 12 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
Official CAA match statistics.
Towson’s ability to generate quality scoring opportunities proved far more important than the overall shot totals. The Tigers repeatedly created dangerous situations around the Stony Brook penalty area and capitalized when those opportunities presented themselves. Stony Brook, meanwhile, struggled to solve Gardner despite generating more attempts throughout the match. That contrast ultimately separated the two teams and allowed Towson to secure a comfortable victory.
Katherine Vettori Praises Team’s Focus and Execution
Following the victory, Vettori praised her team’s preparation, determination and ability to execute the game plan. The Tigers demonstrated particular effectiveness on set pieces, an area that proved decisive throughout the afternoon. Vettori also recognized the defensive performance and acknowledged the importance of maintaining focus with several challenging conference matches remaining. The head coach emphasized that the three-game winning streak represented meaningful progress, but the team still had considerable work ahead.
“I’m very proud of the fight and focus we had today. We stuck to our plan and executed on set pieces.”
— Towson head coach Katherine Vettori, via Towson Athletics.
Vettori also highlighted the contributions of Levin, Thibeault, Johnson, Rubio and Perry, along with Gardner’s work in goal. Her comments reflected the balanced nature of Towson’s performance, which featured contributions from established starters and players recording their first collegiate goals. The Tigers also benefited from playing in front of their home supporters despite rainy conditions at Tiger Field. With 171 fans in attendance, Towson delivered an impressive result in its first conference home match of the season.
Three Consecutive Victories Put Towson Atop CAA North Division
Towson’s victory over Stony Brook carried considerable significance beyond the final score. The Tigers improved to 3-1 in conference competition, giving them nine points and placing them first in the CAA North Division following Sunday’s matches. Their three-game winning streak represented the program’s longest since its championship-winning 2023 campaign. After experiencing some inconsistency during nonconference competition, Towson has established momentum at an important point in the season.
The Tigers have also demonstrated substantial offensive improvement during their winning streak, scoring nine goals while allowing only one. Their victories over William & Mary, Hampton and Stony Brook featured contributions from several different players, reducing the pressure on any single offensive threat. Thibeault has emerged as a particularly important contributor, scoring in all three victories. Meanwhile, Gardner and the defensive unit have helped establish the consistency necessary for Towson to compete against the conference’s strongest programs.
The victory also provided Towson with an advantage in its recent series against Stony Brook. The teams entered Sunday’s contest tied 2-2 in their all-time meetings, with the home team having won each previous matchup. Towson continued that trend with its third home victory over the Seawolves. More importantly, the Tigers secured three valuable conference points against an opponent that entered the weekend with a strong overall record.
First-Place Showdown With UNCW Awaits
Towson’s next challenge comes Thursday, October 8, when the Tigers host UNCW at Tiger Field in a matchup featuring the first-place teams from the CAA North and South divisions. The Seahawks enter the contest unbeaten in conference play and riding an extended unbeaten streak that began during the 2025 season. UNCW also arrives following an impressive 5-1 victory over defending conference champion Elon, demonstrating the offensive ability Towson will need to contain. The matchup represents an important opportunity for the Tigers to test themselves against one of the conference’s strongest teams.
Towson has enjoyed recent defensive success against UNCW, having avoided conceding a goal to the Seahawks in their last three meetings dating to 2022. The Tigers recorded a 3-0 victory over UNCW on October 8, 2023, while the other two meetings during that stretch ended in scoreless draws. Maintaining that defensive success will be especially important against a Seahawks attack featuring Hailey Longwell, who has scored five goals this season. With kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m., Towson will have another opportunity to strengthen its position in the conference standings before continuing its homestand against Charleston on October 11.
MSB Take
Towson’s 4-0 victory over Stony Brook was more than another conference win; it was a statement about the Tigers’ potential as the CAA season enters its most important stretch. Scoring four goals against a team that had lost only once entering the contest demonstrated just how dangerous Towson can be when its offense is functioning effectively. The performance was particularly impressive because four different players scored, including two who recorded their first collegiate goals. Vettori has to be encouraged by the depth of her lineup and the growing confidence surrounding a team that now sits atop the CAA North Division.
The biggest positive from Sunday’s victory was Towson’s effectiveness on set pieces, which accounted for three of its four goals. Perry’s two assists demonstrated the importance of having a reliable player capable of delivering accurate corner kicks, while Johnson and Rubio capitalized on their opportunities. Gardner’s five-save shutout provided another reminder that the Tigers possess a goalkeeper capable of making important stops when opponents generate scoring chances. If Towson continues combining that defensive stability with improved offensive efficiency, the Tigers could become a serious threat when the conference tournament arrives.
The upcoming matchup against UNCW will provide a much stronger test of Towson’s championship potential. The Seahawks have established themselves as one of the conference’s most consistent programs, and their unbeaten conference record suggests the Tigers will face a difficult challenge. However, Towson has momentum, home-field advantage and several players performing at a high level. Sunday’s victory showed what this team can accomplish, but a strong performance against UNCW would provide an even clearer indication that the Tigers are ready to compete for another CAA championship.
Sources: Towson University Athletics — Official game recap; Official match box score; Stony Brook Athletics — Opposing team recap; CAA weekly awards; Towson’s UNCW matchup preview.
