TOWSON, MD- Monmouth sophomore Kate Ryan (Morton, Pa./Springfield) scored the lone Hawk goal as Towson defeated MU by a score of 9-1 in the 2016 season opener on Wednesday afternoon.

“I thought our defense played really well,” said first year head coach Eileen Ghent. “Caroline proved to be a really good leader back in the goal. We struggled with our transition and production on offense but this game gives us a lot to work on and we'll be ready for Saturday.”

The Tigers took advantage of 22 Monmouth turnovers and held a 21-8 advantage in shots. Towson took a 5-1 lead into the half and then outscored the Hawks 4-0 in the final frame. Senior Caroline Huelster (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) made six saves in goal for the Hawks.

Towson took a 2-0 lead on goals from Emily Gillingham and Breanna Hamm in the first nine minutes of action. Ryan cut the lead to one on a free position goal with 15:23 left in the first half. The Tigers would add three more scores in the first half, while Towson netminder Angie Benson turned away four Monmouth shots. The Hawks were plagued by turnovers in the first frame, committing 11 compared to just seven for the Tigers.

Monmouth's defense stood tough through the first 10 minutes of the second half, keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard until Towson's Michaela Duranti scored on a man-up opportunity with 17:13 to play. Towson rattled off an empty net goal after Huestler turned the ball over on a double team, to put the home team up 8-1. Towson shot and scored as time expired, finishing the scoring 9-1.

Gillingham and Jenna Kerr led all scorers with two goals apiece. The teams split the draw controls 5-5 but MU was whistled for 32 fouls compared to 22 for the Tigers.

Monmouth returns to the field on Saturday in the 2016 home opener when it hosts George Washington at 1 PM.