Towson women's soccer edged by Loyola in non-conference season opener

Sophomore forward Nichole Schiro (Okemos H.S./Okemos, Mich.) scored two goals in the first half to lead Loyola University Maryland (1-0-0) to a 3-2 non-conference victory over Towson University (0-1-0) in the season opener for both teams at the Ridley Athletic Complex on Saturday evening.

It was the first meeting between the two local rivals since the 2002 season.

“I thought we played hard in a lot of aspects, but we weren’t able to put everything together tonight,” Towson Coach Greg Paynter said. “I don’t think we played very well in the back at times and give Loyola credit because [the Greyhounds] took advantage.”

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute when junior forward Kaysi Ward (Long Beach H.S./Long Beach, N.Y.) took crossing passes from freshman forward Katie Holtzapple (Spring Grove H.S./Spring Grove, Pa.) and sophomore Cheyenne Skidmore (Liberty H.S./Eldersburg, Md.) and scored from eight yards away.

But, the Greyhounds answered with two goals in a six-minute span to take a 2-1 advantage. With 11:07 remaining in the first half, senior forward Kelly Farrell (Oceanside H.S./Oceanside, N.Y.) scored off passes from seniors Lina Staropoli (Bridgewater-Raritan H.S./Raritan, N.J.) and Kelly Thomas (Walsh Jesuit H.S./Shaker Heights, Ohio).

Then, Schiro gave Loyola a one-goal lead in the 40th minute when she scored by converting a pass from freshman forward Alex Reed (South County H.S./Fairfax Station, Va.).

Less than a minute later, Ward answered with her second goal of the game to even the score at 2-2. She took a cross from freshman forward Emily Banes (Bethpage H.S./Bethpage, N.Y.) and scored on a 12-yard shot past sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Ippolito (W.C. Mepham H.S./Bellmore, N.Y.).

With 1:06 remaining in the first half, Schiro regained the Greyhounds’ one-goal advantage when she scored on a five-yard shot off an assist from junior midfielder Maggie Ebner (Our Lady of Good Counsel H.S./Silver Spring, Md.).

Trailing by 3-2 in the second half, the Tigers had their best chance of the period to tie the game in the 75th minute when Banes had a shot inside the goal area that was stopped by Ippolito. From there, the Greyhounds limited Towson to just one shot in the final 15 minutes.

Ippolito made three saves for the Greyhounds, who were outshot by a 12-11 margin. Meanwhile, junior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak (Atholton H.S./Columbia, Md.) made one save in a losing effort for the Tigers.

The Tigers will continue their nine-game road trip next weekend with a pair of matches at the Duquesne Classic. After facing Saint Louis on Friday afternoon, the Tigers will play the host Dukes on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Greyhounds will travel to the University of Nebraska for the Husker Classic next weekend.

College Women’s Soccer: Loyola University Maryland 3, Towson University 2
Towson (0-1-0) 2 0 - 2
Loyola (1-0-0) 3 0 - 3

Goals:
TOW – Kaysi Ward 2 (25:05, 40:26);
LOY – Nichole Schiro 2 (39:30, 43:54), Kelly Farrell 1 (33:53).

Assists:
TOW – Katie Holtzapple 1, Cheyenne Skidmore 1, Emily Banes 1;
LOY – Kelly Thomas 1, Lina Staropoli 1, Alex Reed 1, Maggie Ebner 1.

Saves:
TOW – Jocelyn Papciak 1 (90:00, 3 goals allowed);
LOY – Danielle Ippolito 3 (90:00, 2 goals allowed).

Shots:
TOW – 12; LOY – 11.

Corner Kicks:
TOW – 2;
LOY – 9.

Attendance: 411.

Notebook: The Tigers had scored just two goals in their previous ten meetings against the Greyhounds … Ward became the first Tiger to record a multi-goal game since Erica Marshall scored twice against Drexel last year in a 4-3 overtime victory … It was also her first goal since October 9, 2009 against UNC Wilmington … The Tigers started three freshmen in the season opener against Loyola – Holtzapple, Allie Boubouheropoulos and Kelsey Ports … A total of seven freshmen made their collegiate debuts against the Greyhounds … The Tigers started a school-record nine-game road trip with the season opener on Saturday.