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TOWSON, Md. - Hoping to increase their chances of earning a berth into the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, the Tigers return to the Tiger Soccer Complex this weekend for a pair of key CAA games. On Friday afternoon, the Tigers will face Drexel before playing Delaware in their home finale on Sunday.      

Gameday Information

• Multimedia: Live starts for both of this weekend's games will be available by visiting the Live Stats page on TowsonTigers.com.
• Parking: There is no charge for parking on Friday after 3 p.m. and Sunday and fans are directed to park in Lot 19. Additional parking is available in Lots 13 and 14 on the north side of Auburn Drive near Johnny Unitas® Stadium.

• With an 8-8-0 overall record and a 3-5-0 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association, the Tigers enter their final two home games of the season in the hunt for a berth in the CAA Tournament. The Tigers, who have won three of their last four games, dropped a tough 4-3 decision against Georgia State last Friday night before edging UNC Wilmington by 1-0 in overtime on Sunday.    

• The Tigers got their 2011 season off to a great start with a 2-0 victory over Loyola (recap | final stats) on Aug. 20, marking the Tigers' first-ever win over the Greyhounds. Freshman forward Sofia Read scored the first goal of her career in the 13th minute while junior forward Cheyenne Skidmore added an insurance goal in the second half. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak made two saves to earn the ninth shutout of her college career.

• Playing their first road game of the season, the Tigers dropped a 4-1 decision against 20th-ranked Georgetown (recap | final stats) on Aug. 26 at North Kehoe Field. The Tigers' lone goal came from Skidmore, who scored in the 27th minute off an assist from sophomore forward Emily Banes. Papciak made six saves in 68 minutes before being replaced by freshman Erin Palmer, who tallied four saves. The Tigers were limited to just three shots in the setback while Georgetown fired 30 attempts.

• The Tigers overcame a 1-0 second half deficit to post a 2-1 overtime victory at Delaware State (recap | final stats) on Sept. 2 at Alumni Stadium. Freshman Kaitlin Brooks scored the game-winning goal with just 59 seconds remaining in the first overtime period for the first goal of her brief college career. Meanwhile, sophomore forward Emily Banes tallied her first goal of the season off an assist from junior Cheyenne Skidmore. The Tigers outshot Delaware State by a 13-9 margin.

• Returning home after a two-game road trip, the Tigers lost a 2-1 verdict against High Point (recap | final stats) on Sept. 4 at the Tiger Soccer Complex. For the second straight game, the Tigers fell behind by a 1-0 margin before sophomore forward Emily Banes tied the game at 1-1 with a goal in the 70th minute. But, the Panthers broke the tie with just over three minutes left to earn their second straight win. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak made four of her five saves in the first half.

• The Tigers used a pair of second half goals to break a 1-1 tie en route to a 3-1 victory against UMBC (recap | final stats) on Sept. 9 at the Retriever Soccer Park. Freshman forward Sofia Read scored a goal with an assist in the second half while sophomore forward Emily Banes extended her goal-scoring streak to three straight games. The Tigers outshot UMBC by a 19-11 margin en route to winning their fifth straight game against the Retrievers.

• Led by two goals and an assist from junior forward Cheyenne Skidmore, the Tigers erupted for a season-high five goals en route to a 5-0 victory over Mount St. Mary's (recap | final stats) on Sept. 11 at the Tiger Soccer Complex. The Tigers recorded their highest single-game scoring output in nearly four years as Skidmore recorded the first multi-goal game of her career along with a career-high five points.

• Sophomore forward Emily Banes recorded the first multi-goal game of her college career, including the game-winning goal in the 108th minute, to give Towson a 2-1 win over Campbell (recap | final stats) in double overtime on Sept. 16. Banes, who became the first player in school history to score a goal in five consecutive games, converted a pass from junior forward Cheyenne Skidmore inside the penalty area to give Towson its first three-game win streak since 2007.

• The Tigers had their three-game win streak halted with a 3-1 setback against N.C. State (recap | final stats) in the non-conference finale for both teams on Sept. 18. Sophomore forward Amanda Novy scored the first goal of her college career, but the Tigers were unable to hold off a Wolfpack offense that outshot Towson by a 28-8 margin. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak tied a career high by making 13 saves.

• Opening their Colonial Athletic Association schedule, the Tigers dropped a tough 5-0 decision at William & Mary (recap | final stats) on Sept. 23. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak made two saves in a losing effort for the Tigers, who were outshot by an 18-7 margin.

• The Tigers dropped their third straight game with a 2-1 setback at Old Dominion (recap | final stats) on Sept. 25. Sophomore forward Katie Holtzapple scored the first goal of her college career to tie the game in the 22nd minute, but the Lady Monarchs scored with 1:51 remaining to earn the victory. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak made eight saves in the loss for Towson.

• Playing their fifth straight road game, the Tigers battled defending CAA champion James Madison to overtime before suffering a 1-0 setback (recap | final stats) against the Dukes at the JMU Soccer Complex on Sept. 30. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak tallied 11 saves for the Tigers, who were outshot by a 25-7 margin.

• The Tigers returned home for the first time since Sept. 11 and lost by 4-0 against VCU on Oct. 2 (recap | final stats) at the Tiger Soccer Complex. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak made five saves in a losing effort for the Tigers, who were limited to just six shots.

• Led by two goals and an assist from senior midfielder Courtney McKee, the Tigers snapped a five-game losing streak by earning a 3-2 victory over Hofstra (recap | final stats) at the Tiger Soccer Complex on Oct. 7. McKee recorded the first multi-goal game of her college career as the Tigers earned their first win over Hofstra since 1997, snapping a 14-game winless streak (0-13-1).

• The Tigers posted their second straight win by defeating Northeastern by a 3-1 margin (recap | final stats) at the Tiger Soccer Complex on Oct. 9. Junior forward Cheyenne Skidmore recorded three assists for the second straight game while senior midfielder Courtney McKee had a goal with an assist.

• Despite two goals from junior forward Cheyenne Skidmore, the Tigers dropped a tough 4-3 decision at Georgia State (recap | final stats) on Oct. 14 in Atlanta. Trailing by a 3-2 margin, the Panthers scored a pair of goals in the final eight minutes to earn the victory. Senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak had 12 saves in a losing effort for the Tigers.

• The Tigers rebounded from the Georgia State loss to snap a nine-game losing streak against UNC Wilmington with a 1-0 overtime victory over the Seahawks (recap | final stats) on Oct. 16. It was the Tigers' first-ever win at UNC Wilmington and the first victory over the Seahawks since Sept. 3, 1994. Freshman midfielder Katlyn Axenfeld scored the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute off a corner kick from freshman Sofia Read.

Scouting the Dragons

•  Currently 5-7-4 overall and 3-3-2 in the CAA, the Dragons enter Friday’s game with a two-game unbeaten streak after earning a win and a tie last weekend. The Dragons defeated James Madison by a 1-0 margin last Friday before posting a 0-0 tie against Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday afternoon.

• Freshman goalkeeper Eve Badana was named as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week after earning back-to-back shutouts last week. She made 11 saves in the draw against VCU, including a penalty kick with just over three minutes to play in regulation. She has held opponents scoreless for more than 288 minutes over the last three matches.

• Senior midfielder Jenna Lindsay is the Dragons’ leading scorer with five goals and two assists. Meanwhile, freshman Megan Hammaker has contributed three goals with an assist.

Towson-Drexel Series History

• Friday's game between the Tigers and the Dragons will mark the 15th meeting in an all-time series that Towson leads by an 8-5-1 margin.

• Goalkeeper Nicole Sinclair made five saves en route to her first shutout of the season the Dragons defeated the Tigers, 2-0, in last year’s meeting (recap | final stats) at Vidas Field. The Dragons used goals from Jenna Lindsay and Sam Greenfield to earn their third win over the Tigers in the last five meetings (3-1-1).

• In 2009, the Tigers rallied to earn a 4-3 victory over the Dragons at the Tiger Soccer Complex on Senior Day. Erica Marshall, who is currently an assistant coach for the Tigers, scored two goals in her final appearance at the Tiger Soccer Complex, including the game-winning marker in the 94th minute.

• The Tigers won seven of the first nine meetings in the series, which began in 1997. In addition, there have been nine games in the series decided by a goal or less.

Scouting the Blue Hens

• Entering their Friday night match-up against George Mason, the Blue Hens have a 7-5-3 overall record and a 3-2-2 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association. However, the Blue Hens have a three-game winless streak after earning a pair of ties against Virginia Commonwealth (1-1) and James Madison (2-2) last weekend. 

• The Blue Hens, who are opening a three-game road trip with Friday night's game at George Mason, enter this weekend tied for sixth place in the CAA standings with Drexel as both teams have 11 points. However, Delaware has one more game to play than the Dragons after the Blue Hens had their Sept. 23 game against VCU postponed due to inclement weather.

• Senior forward Amy Pickard is the Blue Hens' leading scorer with eight goals and four assists. After scoring two goals in the Blue Hens' 2-2 tie against James Madison, she ranks fifth in the CAA with 20 points. It was Pickard's second two-goal game of the season as she led Delaware to a 4-1 win over Siena on Sept. 9 with two goals.

• Meanwhile, junior forward Ali Miller has contributed seven goals and an assist for Delaware while sophomore midfielder Chelsea Duffy has tallied four goals with three assists.

• Goalkeeper Breanna Stemler has started all 15 games this season for the Blue Hens and has played in all but 45 minutes. She ranks fifth in the CAA with a .775 save percentage while her 1.19 goals against average is good for sixth in the CAA. She had a season-high 11 saves in the 2-2 tie against James Madison on Sunday afternoon.

• Delaware Coach Scott Grzenda is in his 22nd season at the helm and has led the Blue Hens to a 201-167-35 record, including 13 winning seasons. He was named as the America East Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994.

Towson-Delaware Series History

• The Blue Hens and the Tigers will be meeting for the 19th time in an all-time series that Delaware leads by a 10-7-1 margin. However, the teams have alternated wins in the last five meetings; Delaware defeated the Tigers in 2006, 2008 and 2010 while the Tigers earned wins in 2007 and 2009.

• The Blue Hens used three saves from goalkeeper Breanna Stemler to edge the Tigers by a 1-0 margin in last year's meeting (recap | final stats) at Delaware Mini-Stadium. Ali Miller scored the game's only goal in the 16th minute when she scored off an assist from Shannon Kearney. The Tigers were limited to just seven shots in the loss, including three shots on goal.

• In 2009, the Tigers earned a 2-1 victory over the Blue Hens (recap | final stats) in an exciting game at the Tiger Soccer Complex. Led by a goal and an assist from Kaitlyn Zamroz, the Tigers rallied from a 1-0 deficit to earn the win. Zamroz scored on a penalty kick in the 85th minute to give Towson a 2-1 lead after the Tigers were forced to play down a player following a red card against goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak.

• In the previous 18 meetings against Delaware, there have been 13 games decided by a goal or less, including five of the last six affairs. There have also been four overtime games in the series; Towson has a 2-1-1 record in those games.

• The Tigers enter this weekend's play tied for 10th place in the CAA standings with Hofstra, which Towson defeated by a 3-2 margin on Oct. 7. However, the Tigers are just two points out of sixth place in the CAA standings. 

• While William & Mary has clinched the regular season title with an 8-0-0 CAA record, the margin separating the next 10 teams is just four points entering this weekend's action. Northeastern and James Madison are tied for second place with 13 points while George Mason and VCU are tied in fourth place with 12 points.

• After Delaware and Drexel, Old Dominion and Georgia State each have 10 points and are tied for eighth place followed by Towson and Hofstra.

• The top six teams will qualify for the CAA Tournament, which will be held at William & Mary from Nov. 3-6. The Tigers are trying to make their first postseason appearance since 2001 in their final season as members of the America East Conference.

Connect Four for Skidmore

• Over the last four games, junior forward Cheyenne Skidmore has been the Tigers' leading offensive threat by scoring two goals with six assists. She has been involved in eight of the Tigers' ten goals during the four-game stretch.

• With 23 points, the Eldersburg, Md. native has moved into a tie for third place in the CAA with Northeastern's Veronica Napoli. She is tied for fifth place in the CAA with seven goals while her nine assists lead the conference.

• In addition, Skidmore's 23 points are tied for the third-highest single-season total in school history, matching the 23 points Holly Noga recorded in 2001 by scoring 10 goals with 3 assists. Skidmore's nine assists are just two shy of the school single-season record set by Shannon Jackson in 2004.

• With 43 points, Skidmore has moved into seventh place on the Tigers' career points list and is tied for 12th in school history with 12 career goals. Her 19 career assists rank third in school history.

Papciak Hits Milestones Against UNCW

• With the Tigers' 1-0 victory over UNC Wilmington on Oct. 16, senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak recorded the 10th shutout of her college career, which ranks third in school history. In addition, she became the third Tiger goalkeeper to record at least 300 career saves.

• A four-year starter for the Tigers, Papciak has tallied 305 career saves entering this weekend's play, including a CAA-leading 101 saves this season. Tina Steck set the school record with 464 saves from 1997-2000 while Brandi Daniels, who played for the Tigers from 2004-07, ranks second with 403 saves.

• Named as a second team All-CAA selection as a junior, Papciak matched her career high with 13 saves against N.C. State on Sept. 18 and also posted 12 saves against Georgia State on Oct. 14. She has tallied 10 or more saves three times this season.

• Both of freshman midfielder Katlyn Axenfeld's goals this season have been game-winners after she scored in the 93rd minute against UNC Wilmington on Oct. 16. She also had the eventual game-winning goal in Towson's 3-2 victory over Hofstra on Oct. 7 that snapped a 14-game winless streak against the Pride. 

• Axenfeld has played in all 16 games this season, starting each of the last four games. She also made the first start of her college career against High Point on Sept. 4.

• With their 1-0 win over UNC Wilmington on Oct. 16, the Tigers are now 3-1-0 this season in overtime games, matching a school record for overtime wins in a season. 

• This year marks the fourth time in school history that the Tigers have posted three overtime wins in a single season. The Tigers had a 3-1-3 overtime record in 2005 after a 3-0-1 mark in overtime games during the 2000 season.

• The Tigers also won three overtime games in 1993 when they had a 3-0-0 record.

• Since the start of the 2007 season, the Tigers have posted an 8-8-7 record in overtime games.

Quick Starts

• Sophomore forward Emily Banes gave the Tigers a very quick 1-0 lead against Northeastern on Oct. 9 when she scored off an assist from junior forward Cheyenne Skidmore with 42:52 left in the first half. It marked the earliest that the Tigers have scored a goal this season.

• It marked the quickest goal by the Tigers to start a game since Banes gave Towson a 1-0 lead against James Madison at the 1:55 mark on Oct. 1, 2010.

• The school record for the quickest goal by a Towson player to start a game was set on Oct. 31, 1992 when Wendy Simmons scored just 10 seconds into the Tigers' game against Monmouth.

Up Next for the Tigers ...

• The Tigers will finish the regular season next Saturday when they travel to George Mason for a 5 p.m. game against the Patriots. It will be the 10th all-time meeting in a series that the Patriots lead by a commanding 8-1-0 margin.

• George Mason has won the last seven games in the series following last year's 2-0 decision at the Tiger Soccer Complex. Omolyn Davis scored twice for the Patriots, who earned their first CAA Tournament berth since 2007 with the victory.

• During the seven-game win streak, the Patriots have outscored Towson by a 16-2 margin.