TOWSON, Md. - Led by goals from juniors Katie Ponce and Katlyn Axenfeld, the Towson women's soccer team claimed its first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) victory of the season, a 3-0 decision over the visiting Dragons of Drexel Sunday afternoon at Tiger Soccer Complex.

Towson got started early, scoring two goals in the opening four minutes of the match. Senior Emily Banes assisted both tallies, sending crosses from left to right on both occasions. Ponce added her second of the game at 53:25 off an assist from classmate Sofia Read.

"Today we were able to get a good start," said Head Coach Greg Paynter. "Conference wins are hard to come by; I don't care who they are against. I will take them."

The Dragons held the run of play for most of the first half, but the Tigers made the most of their chances.

The Tigers took the opening passback and drove right down the pitch. Banes sent a cross in from the left and hit Axenfeld, who was waiting at the top of the 18-yard box. Her strike at 30 seconds beat Drexel keeper Eve Badana in the upper right 90. Just over two-and-a-half minutes later, Banes sent a nearly identical cross to Ponce who was standing about six yards from the net. She turned and sent the ball into the lower right corner.

Drexel upped its tempo in the second half and tested the Tiger defense, who came up solid every time. The Dragons outshot the Tigers 7-2 in the second frame and 13-5 overall. Junior Erin Quinn made six saves on the afternoon and Towson recorded two team saves.

"We're learning," said Paynter. "We're still pretty young in terms of experience in the back. Every chance we get to get better...we learned a lot against Delaware on Thursday."

The Tigers take to the road to face UNC Wilmington on Friday, Oct. 4 and new CAA opponent College of Charleston on Sunday, Oct. 6.

College Women's Soccer: Drexel 0, Towson 3
Drexel (4-6-1, 0-1-0 CAA)      0-0/0
Towson (6-5-1, 1-1-0 CAA)    2-1/3

GOALS: DRE- None; TOW - Axenfeld (0:30), Ponce (3:12, 53:25). ASSISTS: DRE - None; TOW - Banes 2, Read. SAVES: DRE - Badana (1, 90:00, 3 GA); TOW - Quinn (6, 90:00, 0 GA). SHOTS: DRE - 13; TOW - 5. CORNER KICKS: DRE - 3; TOW - 3. ATT: 203.

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