BALTIMORE - 344 days ago, the UMBC women's lacrosse team stepped off the field for the last time before the world as we all know it stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Retrievers will finally return to the field as they begin the 2021 season tomorrow across the Beltway against the Towson Tigers.
UMBC vs. Towson Series Info:
Who: UMBC Retrievers (0-0) at Towson Tigers (1-0)
Where: Towson, Md. - Tiger Field
When: Friday, February 19 - 4 p.m.
How to Watch: Video | Audio | Live Stats
Social: @UMBC_WLacrosse, #RetrieverNation, #AEWLAX
DAWG BITES
The last game that UMBC played during the 2020 season was on March 11 in Philadelphia against the Drexel Dragons, where they fell, 11-9. The Dragons jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead but the Retrievers were able to cut the deficit down to just 6-4 at halftime.
UMBC kept things within one on two occasions, but Drexel scored two quick goals towards the end of the second half to seal the win.
During the game against Drexel, Claire Bockstie and Courtney Renehan each scored three points while goalkeeper Lexi Roberts made nine saves in the net.
In the shortened 2020 season, the Retrievers picked up victories over VCU (Feb. 15, 11-7) and Bucknell (Feb. 26, 13-9).
The Retrievers return 14 letterwinners from a season ago, including Renehan (12g,2a), Bockstie (11g, 1a), and senior Lily Kennedy (10g, 7a). Roberts returns to the cage after recording 62 saves and a 50.4 saves percentage; at the time the season ended, Roberts ranked first in the America East and 15th in the nation in saves percentage.
Amy Slade has 10 newcomers on her roster for the 2021 season, including graduate student Katie Schluederberg, who spent the last four seasons at Penn State
In the annual America East Coaches' Preseason Poll, the Retrievers were slated to finish fourth in the conference for the second year in a row after earning 30 points.
GET TO KNOW: Towson Tigers
Towson started the 2021 season last Saturday with a 10-7 victory over Mount St. Mary's. Freshman Lindsey Marshall started her career for the Tigers with a hat trick, including back-to-back goals in the opening moments of the second half to help Towson pull ahead of The Mount.
The Tigers return 10 starters from the 2020 season, including All-American Sami Chenoweth and top scorers Blair Pearre (14g) and Shelby Stack (13g,4a).
In goal, Carly Merlo returns for Towson after an impressive freshman year with 37 saves and 17 ground balls.
13 newcomers grace Sonia LaMonica's roster, including three graduate transfers: Natalie Miller and Nikki Sliwak, who both played at Maryland, and Olivia Malamphy from Boston College.
In 2021, the Tigers were selected to finish second in the CAA North behind Hofstra.
THE SERIES
The Retrievers and the Tigers have not met since the 2017 season, where Towson recorded a 20-5 victory at UMBC Stadium to open the season. Carolyn Jamison and Sam Nolan each scored two goals, while Ashley Peacock made 12 saves inside the net.
UMBC's last victory over Towson came during the 2011 season, when the Retrievers defeated the 17th-ranked Tigers, 10-9. It was the first time that UMBC defeated Towson after the Retriever used a 5-0 run late in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit.
