(Towson, Md.) – The Delaware State women's soccer team (1-14) went toe-to-toe with one of the best offensive squads in the country, but the Hornets were unable to pull out the victory Saturday afternoon on the road as the Towson Tigers (8-10-1, 2-6 CAA) came away with a 4-3 win.
In the first period, the Tigers took a 1-0 lead during the 21st minute by way of an unassisted goal from midfielder Katie Ponce (5).
However, the Hornets battled back to tie the game during the 29th minute when defender Darcy Pelz-Bulter (1) connected for the unassisted goal.
As the period continued, the Tigers regained the lead with the under five minutes to play when midfielder Katlyn Axenfeld (3) found the team's leading scorer, forward Emily Banes (14), for the goal.
Coming into Saturday's contest, Banes ranked 12th in the nation in total points as Towson's leader in goals and assists.
At intermission, the Tigers totaled 13 shots, whereas the Hornets recorded five.
Under constant pressure, on the other hand, DSU's Katelyn Koslosky (1-14) tallied two saves, while Towson's Jess Evanick (1-0) did not manage a stop.
Coming out of the locker room, the Hornets tied the match during the 46th minute when forward Chelsea Boursiquot (3) evaded a couple of Tiger defenders to beat Evanick for the goal.
Nevertheless, the high-scoring affair continued during 60th minute when the Tigers took advantage after DSU committed a foul deep in its own territory. As a result, midfielder Taylor Knier (2) capitalized on a free kick opportunity to put her team back on top by one.
Later in the stanza, same score, Towson increased its lead to two during the 73rd minute when Banes (15) fired a shot past Koslosky from about 18 yards away for the score. Forward Sofia Read (6) was credited with an assist.
With time winding down, the Hornets made one last push as Boursiquot (4) controlled a rebound in front of Towson's net and knocked it in to cut the deficit to one during the 86th minute.
Unfortunately for DSU, the Tigers kept the Hornets at bay for the remaining of the match to hold on for the victory.
At game's end, the Tigers finished with 27 shots, including 11 placed on-frame. In the case of DSU, it came away with eight attempts, led by Boursiquot's five shots.
Defensively, meanwhile, Koslosky tallied a match-high seven saves, whereas Evanick finished the afternoon with three stops.
Coming up, the Red & Columbia Blue will take on George Washington on the road this Friday at 4 p.m.
