ANNAPOLIS - Towson got second-half goals from seniorEmily Banes and junior Katie Ponce to power a comeback attempt that left the Tigers (2-2-1) in a 2-2 draw with St. Bonaventure in the opening game of the 2013 Navy Invitational.

The Tigers gave up a goal in the third minute to fall behind early, but senior goalkeeper Erin Quinn made a clutch save on a penalty kick to keep the Bonnies close. Banes continued on her hot streak in the second half, scoring her sixth goal in five games to even the score. St. Bonaventure went ahead, 2-1, but Ponce notched her second of the season in the 66th minute for the final score.

"St. Bonaventure put a lot of pressure on us in the first half, and we couldn't solve it," said Head Coach Greg Paynter. "We controlled the second half much more. Banes had a great goal on a service from Sofia."

St. Bonaventure's Jordan Calabria took a shot at 3:31, and Alex Meador capitalized when the save rebounded back out into the six-yard box. Just two minutes later a hard Towson foul in the box gave the Bonnies the penalty kick Quinn saved.

The teams went into halftime with SBU ahead, 1-0, but Banes gave the Tigers a spark when she received a cross from junior Sofia Read on the right side for a one-timer at 56:01. Just three minutes later, Alyssa Lapp put the Bonnies back on top when she beat Quinn one-on-one.

Ponce has been dangerous from deep this season, and at 65:13 she converted on a shot from 18 yards to once again draw the teams even. Despite playing through two 10-minute overtimes, neither team could muster another goal.

The Tigers have a short one-day break before facing Duquesne on Sunday, September 8 at 3 p.m. in the finale of the Navy Invitational.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls AZ: U17 Players to Watch

Women's Team of the Week: Nov. 4

Men's Team of the Week: November 4