BALTIMORE - The UMBC women's lacrosse team starts the 2016 season against a familiar foe when they head to local rival Towson University on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 4:00 p.m. Last season, sophomore Carolyn Jamison scored two goals on the Tigers in one of six multi-goal games in her rookie season. Despite the effort, the Retrievers fell to the visiting Tigers, 11-6.
"Towson's a very competitive team, our girls know that," Slade said. "They have friends on that team. There's always a slight chip on everybody's shoulder. Especially when they all played for [high schools] in the area. They may have been best friends in high school, and now they're mortal enemies on the lacrosse field. I think it's just a really fun game. They play a high level of lacrosse, and our girls are always looking to match that."
Scouting the Retrievers (8-9, 3-3 AEC in 2015)
The Retrievers will have a new look on offense this season with the graduation of last year's top scorer Abby Wilson. With 11 underclassmen between the attack and midfield units, it will fall to junior co-captain Sam Nolan (Fallston, Md./Fallston) to bring leadership to this young group. Nolan lead the team in assists last season and sent home 22 goals.
Gaining and retaining possession will be key for a Retrievers team that turned the ball over 21 times in last year's matchup. Luckily, sophomore Caitlin Miller (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora), a possession expert, topped the America East Conference in draw controls and led the Retrievers in ground balls last season.
Scouting the Tigers (2-0)
Towson enters Wednesday's matchup with two games already under their belts. The Tigers downed the Monmouth Hawks, 9-1, before dodging the cold snap with a trip down to Jacksonville last weekend. Freshman attacker Carly Tellekamp scored the game-winner in overtime to bring the Tigers to 2-0 early in the season. In the 10-9 victory, Tellekamp's goal with just 1:38 remaining was the first "golden goal" victory for the Tigers since the rules changed this offseason.
Tellekamp and sophomore midfielder Emily Gillingham each notched their first career hat tricks in the victory over Jacksonville.
Freshman goalkeeper Angie Benson has been stellar behind a stout defense that let in just single goal in the Tigers' season opener. The Palm City, Fla. native boasts a 4.9 goals against average and a .565 save percentage.
Inside the series:
- Towson leads the all-time series, 34-7, dating back to 1977
- The Retrievers' last victory against the Tigers came in 10-9 win on March 2, 2011.
- Towson defeated UMBC, 11-6, last season in a non-conference meeting in early April at UMBC Stadium.
