Towson women blank Villanova 1-0 in first victory of 2015

TOWSON, Md. (Via Towson University) – Playing as a unit for a full 90 minutes, the Towson University women’s soccer team posted its first win of the young season, topping visiting Villanova University 1-0 Sunday afternoon, thanks to late goal in the first half from junior Natalia Pinkney and key saves in goal from Taylor Sebolao.

The Tigers (1-2-1) went unbeaten at the Tiger Soccer Complex this weekend, playing High Point University to a 2-2 draw Friday afternoon. Using home field advantage, the Tigers are unbeaten in their last five games (3-0-2) at home, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.​

· The two teams traded corners early in the game, with neither resulting in any chances. Villanova (0-3-0) put its first shot of the game on goal, but Sebolao, who collected the first win of her career, knocked the chance clear.
· The Wildcats took seven shots in the first half, while Towson attempted just three, including what proved to be the game-winner from Pinkney.
· After a ball played into the box bounced around, freshman Evelyn Neidert logged her first career assist as she banged a pass across the box to Pinkney, who found the net at the left goal post. It marks the first time in Pinkney’s career she has scored in back-to-back games after scoring the game-tying goal Friday afternoon.
· Sebolao was busy in the first half, making five saves. Villanova keeper Emma Meyer split her chances with a save, but allowed Pinkney’s goal in the 45th minute of the match.
· Villanova upped the pressure in the second half, out-shooting the Tigers by a narrow 8-7 margin. The Wildcats earned eight of their nine corner kicks in the second half, including five in the final 20 minutes.
· In its first-ever win over Villanova, Towson took six corner kicks, earning three in each half. It was the most corners taken by the Tigers this season.
· Towson split its season series against the BIG EAST at 1-1-0 this season, falling 1-0 on the road earlier this year at No. 21 St. John’s.
· With her goal on Sunday, Pinkney has logged a game-winning goal in each of her three seasons at Towson.
“We played really hard and we got out to a lead and we were able to hold on it,” said Towson head coach Greg Paynter. “But we played a good, solid 90 minutes against pretty good Villanova team. We had to keep our composure as a group. It was physical, and got chaotic at the end but we did a great job of balancing out the game and kept possession when we needed to, got a toe poke or two when we needed them and holding on for dear life when we had to.”

Towson heads away from the Tiger Soccer Complex until Sept. 18 when it hosts St. Francis University at 3 p.m. On the slate this coming weekend for Towson is a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foes in two road games. Friday kicks off at Fairfield University’s Lessing Field at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. game at Iona College.