Towson women rally to edge Duquesne for first win of season, 2-1

Sophomore midfielder Cheyenne Skidmore (Liberty H.S./Eldersburg, Md.) scored the eventual game-winning goal with 7:01 remaining in regulation as Towson University (1-1-1) earned its first win of the season, a 2-1 non-conference victory over Duquesne University (1-2-1) at the Dukes’ Rooney Field on Sunday afternoon.

The win snapped a five-game winless streak for the Tigers, dating back to last season.

“It was an unbelievable gut check by the girls, who played 110 minutes tonight and then play 90 minutes on a day where the temperature on the turf was easily over 100 degrees,” Towson Coach Greg Paynter said. “I thought our legs were a little tired early in the game and we weren’t able to get the energy going. But, we made some adjustments in personnel at half-time and were able to take some shots in the second half and have some more opportunities.”

After a scoreless first half, the Dukes took a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute when sophomore forward Paige Maroney (Sylvania Northview H.S./Sylvania, Ohio) scored her first goal of the season by converting a pass from senior defender Lauren Ott (Mercyhurst Prep/Erie, Ohio).

But, the Tigers responded nearly five minutes later when freshman forward Emily Banes (Bethpage H.S./Bethpage, N.Y.) scored the first goal of her college career to tie the game at 1-1. She took a pass from Skidmore and scored on a one-timer from inside the six-yard area.

With just over seven minutes remaining in regulation, Banes and Skidmore were instrumental in giving the Tigers a one-goal lead. Banes found freshman forward Katie Holtzapple (Spring Grove H.S./Spring Grove, Pa.) in the middle of the field, who passed the ball ahead to Skidmore for a one-timer shot from about 17 yards out.

From there, the Tiger defense held Duquesne without a shot to post Towson’s first victory of the season.

Skidmore and Banes each scored a goal with an assist in the victory for the Tigers while Holtzapple tallied her second assist of the season. Junior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak (Atholton H.S./Columbia, Md.) made three saves for Towson, which outshot the Dukes by a 17-7 margin.

Making the first start of her college career, freshman goalkeeper Ashley Szalwinski (Noblesville H.S./Noblesville, Ohio) made five saves for the Dukes, who had their two-game unbeaten streak snapped.

College Women’s Soccer: Towson University 2, Duquesne University 1
Towson (1-1-1) 0 2 - 2
Duquesne (1-2-1) 0 1 - 1

Goals: TOW – Emily Banes 1 (60:33), Cheyenne Skidmore 1 (82:59); DUQ – Paige Maroney 1 (55:43). Assists: TOW – Cheyenne Skidmore 1, Katie Holtzapple 1, Emily Banes 1; DUQ – Lauren Ott 1. Saves: TOW – Jocelyn Papciak 3 (90:00, 1 goals allowed); DUQ – Ashley Szalwinski 5 (90:00, 2 goals allowed), TEAM 2. Shots: TOW – 17; DUQ – 7. Corner Kicks: TOW – 9; DUQ – 0. Attendance: 235.

Corner Kicks: The Tigers and the Dukes met for the first time ever in women’s soccer on Sunday … Maroney’s goal ended the Tigers’ streak of 211 minutes, 53 seconds without allowing a goal … Banes’ goal ended the Tigers’ scoreless streak of 219 minutes, 7 seconds dating back to their season opener at Loyola … The Tigers have scored two goals in two of their three games this season … Skidmore tied a career high with her three-point effort on Sunday … She also had a goal with an assist against Xavier and Drexel last year.